Bernt Balchen

Bernt Balchen

#115411
BIRTHDAY
Oct 23, 1899 October 23
BIRTHPLACE
Norway
DEATH DATE
Oct 17, 2024 (age 73)
BIRTH SIGN

About

Decorated U.S. Army pilot who was the first man to fly over the South Pole.

Trivia

He organized a World War II-era resistance operation that allowed 5,000 of his countrymen to escape the Nazi occupation.

Before Fame

He was a championship boxer who participated in the 1920 Olympic Games (held in his native Norway). Just nine years later, he embarked upon his historic South Pole flight.

Family Life

He grew up in Norway as the son of a country doctor. Later, he became a United States citizen.

Associated With

Max Conrad also made a historic flight over some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth.

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