Sons of Norway celebrate Osteyee’s 100th

Posted 8/21/12

BOHEMIA, PA — The Bernt Balchen Lodge #3-566 of the Sons of Norway, located at the Central Volunteer Fire Department Hall, Westcolong Road off Route 590, will honor one of its long-time members on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Sons of Norway celebrate Osteyee’s 100th

Posted

BOHEMIA, PA — The Bernt Balchen Lodge #3-566 of the Sons of Norway, located at the Central Volunteer Fire Department Hall, Westcolong Road off Route 590, will honor one of its long-time members on February 21. Her name is Margaret Louise Anderson Osteyee. Born in Duluth, MN to Norwegian immigrant parents, she is not only a long-time member of Sons of Norway, but also served our country during World War II.

When the war began and the call went out, Osteyee decided to join up. There were no men in her family the right age to serve, so she went. Her father put the red star in the window for her, indicating that a family member was serving.

She enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served between 1943 and 1946. Because she had a B.A. degree in English, she trained at Smith College to take on a teaching role during the war. Margaret was stationed in San Antonio, TX, and Floyd Bennett Field, NY.

Osteyee taught aircraft reconnaissance and gunnery to cadets in the naval airforce. She taught the use of the gun sight mounted on F4F fighter planes, a new gun sight developed during the war. She was a qualified pistol expert on the .38 caliber revolver and was often referred to in naval newspapers as one of their “Annie Oakleys.” She achieved the rank of first lieutenant and had qualified for commander when the war ended.

Before the war, Margaret taught in many schools, many states and almost all ages from second grade to high school age. After the war, she married and remained in New York City, teaching in public and private schools.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here