Page 18 - Aerotech News and Review, Aug. 4 2017

Cold War hero laid to rest
His final journey began with the beat of a drum. The sky was clear. A light breeze was blowing as the hero’s family, friends and well-wishers fol- lowed the flag-draped coffin carried by the caisson pulled by six black horses.
On July 27, 2017, retired Col. Freeman “Bruce” Olmstead was laid to rest, with full military honors, at Arlington National Cemetery our na- tion’s most hallowed cemetery.
Many turned out to pay their re- spects to a man who will always be remembered for his many years of dedicated service and personal sac- rifices that included spending more than 200 days as a prisoner of war in a Russian prison during the height of the Cold War.
With his widow Gail seated and surrounded by others at the grave site, Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Scott Foust took his place and began the eulogy.
“For over 150 years, since the Civil War, our nation has honored her fallen patriots right here at Arlington Nation- al Cemetery – this is sacred ground we’re on,” Foust began. “These hal- lowed marble stones, that surround us, stand as solemn memorials to those who answer our nation’s call to serve. Some served a few years, some served many years, some made the ultimate sacrifice, but each one served so that we may have the freedom we enjoy to this day. This morning we’ve gathered in this garden of stones to remember,
and honor, one of our nation’s heroes. This morning we honor Colonel Free- man ‘Bruce’ Olmstead.”
The chaplain described how, on July 1, 1960, then-Capt. Bruce Olm- stead, an RB-47 Stratojet co-pilot as- signed to the 343rd Strategic Recon- naissance Squadron, 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, and his crew, were shot down by a MiG-19 Soviet Fighter over international waters near the former Soviet Union.
Out of the six-man crew, only Ol- mstead, Maj. Willard Palm, aircraft commander, and Capt. John McKone, navigator, were able to successfully eject from the aircraft. The Air Force conducted a search for the missing plane and crew, but no trace was found.
Palm died in the frigid water. Ol- mstead and McKone were picked up by a Soviet fishing vessel and later charged with espionage and impris- oned in Lubyanka prison in Moscow.
During his days in captivity, Olm- stead overcame obstacles such as con- stant interrogations, sleep deprivation and little to no food. Resisting all ef- forts of exploitation, he and McKone were released from Russia and re- turned home in January 1961.
“Upon their return to the U.S., Bruce and his fellow crew member were greeted by President John F. Kennedy,” Foust said.
See ARLINGTON, Page 19
Air Force photographs by Andy Morataya
Service members render full honors for retired Col. Freeman Bruce Olmstead’s funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. July 27, 2017. Olmstead, an Air Force veteran and prisoner of war survivor, passed away Oct. 14, 2016.
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