Nickname(s) Charlie Allegiance United States Rank First lieutenant Battles and wars World War I | Vine Street Hill Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Years of service 1917 - 1918 Battles/wars World War I Other name Charlie | |
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Died 20 July 1974, Waterloo, Iowa, United States Award Distinguished Service Cross Service/branch United States Army Air Service Units United States Army Air Service, 93d Aero Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Squadron | ||
First Lieutenant Charles Rudolph d'Olive was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was the last World War I aviator to be declared an ace, in 1963.
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World War I
Although born in Alabama, d'Olive later lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He enlisted into aviation service in Memphis during Bloody April 1917. He trained in France, and was posted to the 93d Aero Squadron on 23 August 1918 as a Spad XIII pilot. He scored the new unit's first victory on 12 September. The following day, he shot down three Fokker D.VIIs, two in conjunction with George W. Furlow; it was an exploit that earned d'Olive the Distinguished Service Cross. He scored once more, on 18 October 1918. Ten days later, he was transferred to the 141st Aero Squadron as a Flight Commander.
Post World War I
When d'Olive returned home, he went into business. For reasons that remain murky, d'Olive would not be officially recognized as an ace until 1963. He died of cancer on 20 July 1974.
A number of historic items and documents from d'Olive's military service are on display at the 93d Bomb Squadron offices at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
Honors and awards citations
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles Rudolph d'Olive, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Benoit, France, September 12, 1918, First Lieutenant D'Olive, in conjunction with another American pilot, engaged and fought five enemy planes. Outnumbered and fighting against tremendous odds, he shot down three enemy planes and outfought the entire enemy formation.