Edwin A. Loberg
Encyclopedia
Edwin A. Loberg was a Colonel
in the United States Air Force
.
, Loberg was born on February 20, 1915. He graduated from what is now the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
and would marry June Madsen and have two children. Loberg died on February 28, 2004 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
.
in 1941. After being commissioned an officer, he was assigned to the 26th Bombardment Squadron
based at Hickam Field
where he survived the Attack on Pearl Harbor
on December 7, 1941. During World War II
he would pilot the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. On October 23, 1942, Loberg engaged in a 45-minute long dogfight against a Japan
ese Kawanishi H6K
that was attacking a U.S. Navy patrol boat. As it is highly unusual for a bomber to engage in such action, the event garnered much attention and was featured in a book written by Ira Wolfert
and was the subject of a painting entitled "An Interesting Dog Fight" by artist Stan Stokes
. During the Korean War
Loberg served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the War Planning Room of Strategic Air Command
. Later assignments included serving at The Pentagon
and as Chief of Staff of Bolling Air Force Base
. He retired in 1968.
Awards he received include the Silver Star
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, and the Air Medal
.
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
Biography
A native of Tigerton, WisconsinTigerton, Wisconsin
Tigerton is a village in Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 764 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tigerton is located at ....
, Loberg was born on February 20, 1915. He graduated from what is now the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin...
and would marry June Madsen and have two children. Loberg died on February 28, 2004 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
Career
Loberg first joined the United States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
in 1941. After being commissioned an officer, he was assigned to the 26th Bombardment Squadron
26th Space Aggressor Squadron
The 26th Space Aggressor Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. It is part of the 926th Group and is the Reserve Associate of the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron....
based at Hickam Field
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
where he survived the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
on December 7, 1941. During World War II
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...
he would pilot the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. On October 23, 1942, Loberg engaged in a 45-minute long dogfight against a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Kawanishi H6K
Kawanishi H6K
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Doubilet, David. "The Flying Boat". Sport Diver Magazine. Volume 15, Number 8, September 2007.* Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1995.* Green, William. Warplanes of the Second...
that was attacking a U.S. Navy patrol boat. As it is highly unusual for a bomber to engage in such action, the event garnered much attention and was featured in a book written by Ira Wolfert
Ira Wolfert
Ira Wolfert was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent and writer.He was born and grew up in New York City. In 1930, he graduated from the Columbia University School of Journalism with a bachelors degree....
and was the subject of a painting entitled "An Interesting Dog Fight" by artist Stan Stokes
Stan Stokes
Stan Stokes is an American painter known for his aviation art. His work hangs in three presidential libraries.Since the mid-1980s NASA has commissioned Stokes to paint 15 works ranging from the Space Shuttles to the SR-71 Blackbird. Stokes has also painted numerous works for Burt Rutan...
. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
Loberg served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the War Planning Room of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
. Later assignments included serving at The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
and as Chief of Staff of Bolling Air Force Base
Bolling Air Force Base
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is a military installation, located in Southeast Washington, D.C., established on 1 October 2010 in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission...
. He retired in 1968.
Awards he received include the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, 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...
, and the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
.