Bernt balchen biography

United States Army Air Forces officer (1899–1973)

"Balchen" redirects here.

For other uses, see Balchen (disambiguation).

Bernt Balchen
Bernt Balchen, c. Bernt Balchen was America's greatest Arctic expert in modern times. Bernt Balchen was born in Tveit, Norway, on October 23, He was educated at the Norwegian Army Officer Training School, the Forestry Engineering School of. Bernt Balchen (23 October – 17 October ) was a Norwegian pioneer polar aviator, navigator, aircraft mechanical engineer and military leader. Colonel Balchen, a native Norwegian, started flying in He became a U.S. citizen in His career spanned 35 years, serving both the United States and. He was the Chief Pilot for 's first flight over the South Pole in He was born on October 23, and died on October 18, at Mount Kisko, New York. 1950
Born	(1899-10-23)23 October 1899 Tveit, Kristiansand, Norway
Died	17 October 1973(1973-10-17) (aged 73) Mount Kisco, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Aviator, navigator, engineer, military leader
Spouses	Emmy Alvhilde (née Sorlie), Inger (née Engelbrethsen), Audrey (née Schipper)
Children	Bernt Jr, Lauritz
Parent(s)	Lauritz, Dagny (née Dietrechson)

Bernt Balchen (23 October 1899 – 17 October 1973) was a Norwegian pioneer polaraviator, navigator, aircraft mechanical engineer and military leader.

A Norwegian native, he later became an American citizen and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

His service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II made use of his Arctic exploration expertise to help the Allies over S