Duanes S. (Pappy) Larson
Encyclopedia
Colonel Duane S. "Pappy" Larson, Army Air Corp, NDANG, (October 27, 1916 - September 20, 2005) was an American World War II
fighter pilot veteran and the 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Commander of the North Dakota Air National Guard in the 1950s. He is considered the “original” Happy Hooligan which was the moniker of 178th. The Happy Hooligans was a crack Air National Guard unit that went on to win the United States Air Force’s William Tell competition in 1992 and won the Hughes Trophy in 1995.
Pappy Duane Larson was born in Regent, North Dakota
and graduated from Regent High School. Duane joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. Originally he was assigned a truck driver position. After successfully passing the suitability test he entered the Army Air Corps pilot program and did his flight training in Selma, Alabama
and P51
training at Rice, California
.
As a P5l Mustang fighter pilot and Flight Commander Duane flew 68 combat missions in the European Theater during WW II with the 8th Air Force. Flying out of England, he escorted B-17 bombers to Berlin, providing cover against German fighters. His personal moniker was “Swede” during World War II and he earned six Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross
.
Between 1947-1950 Duane helped introduced aerial spraying to North Dakota, ran a local airport in Mott, North Dakota and barnstormed local events, county fairs and air shows.
In 1951, Duane joined the North Dakota Air National Guard and served as the 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Commander. He flew the B-25, C-45, C47, T-6, F-5 1, T-33, F-94 and F-89 for the North Dakota Air National Guard and was the squadron commander during the Cuban missile crisis when the 178th was activated to regular duty. Duane was the first Air National Guard pilot to score a direct air to air hit on a drone.
There was a cartoon during the 1950s called "Pappy Easter and his Happy Hooligans" and the 178th Fighter Squadron began calling themselves the “Happy Hooligans” and Larson, as their commander, became “Pappy”. It became Pappy Larson and his Happy Hooligans and this nickname has been adopted by the entire unit and still exists.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter pilot veteran and the 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Commander of the North Dakota Air National Guard in the 1950s. He is considered the “original” Happy Hooligan which was the moniker of 178th. The Happy Hooligans was a crack Air National Guard unit that went on to win the United States Air Force’s William Tell competition in 1992 and won the Hughes Trophy in 1995.
Pappy Duane Larson was born in Regent, North Dakota
Regent, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 211 people, 99 households, and 62 families residing in the city. The population density was 385.8 people per square mile . There were 126 housing units at an average density of 230.4 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 98.58% White and 1.42%...
and graduated from Regent High School. Duane joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. Originally he was assigned a truck driver position. After successfully passing the suitability test he entered the Army Air Corps pilot program and did his flight training in Selma, Alabama
Selma, Alabama
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. The population was 20,512 at the 2000 census....
and P51
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
training at Rice, California
Rice, California
Rice, California is a vacant town site in the southern tip of the Mojave Desert in unincorporated San Bernardino County, California, United States.-History:...
.
As a P5l Mustang fighter pilot and Flight Commander Duane flew 68 combat missions in the European Theater during WW II with the 8th Air Force. Flying out of England, he escorted B-17 bombers to Berlin, providing cover against German fighters. His personal moniker was “Swede” during World War II and he earned six Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
.
Between 1947-1950 Duane helped introduced aerial spraying to North Dakota, ran a local airport in Mott, North Dakota and barnstormed local events, county fairs and air shows.
In 1951, Duane joined the North Dakota Air National Guard and served as the 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Commander. He flew the B-25, C-45, C47, T-6, F-5 1, T-33, F-94 and F-89 for the North Dakota Air National Guard and was the squadron commander during the Cuban missile crisis when the 178th was activated to regular duty. Duane was the first Air National Guard pilot to score a direct air to air hit on a drone.
There was a cartoon during the 1950s called "Pappy Easter and his Happy Hooligans" and the 178th Fighter Squadron began calling themselves the “Happy Hooligans” and Larson, as their commander, became “Pappy”. It became Pappy Larson and his Happy Hooligans and this nickname has been adopted by the entire unit and still exists.