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Eric Thor Olson |
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Graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1973 |
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Biography: | ||||
Eric Thor Olson Admiral, U.S. Navy Eric Thor Olson was born on 24 January 1952 in Tacoma, WA. Olson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and qualified as a Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) officer in 1974. He graduated in BUD/S Class 76. He has served operationally in an Underwater Demolition Team, SEAL Team, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Special Boat Squadron, and at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has commanded at every level. Olson has participated in several conflicts and contingency operations, and has served as a SEAL instructor, strategy and tactics development officer and joint special operations staff officer. His overseas assignments include service as a United Nations Military Observer in Israel and Egypt, and as Navy Programs Officer in Tunisia. He served on the Navy staff as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy, and Operations). In 1993, Olson participated in the Battle of Mogadishu. In 1994, Olson became Commander, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, an American counterterrorism unit. Olson was promoted again in 1999 when he assumed command of Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, CA. Olson earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and studied at the Defense Language Institute. He is a Joint Specialty officer and Political-Military Affairs sub-specialist with emphasis on Africa and the Middle East. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. On 6 July 2007, Olson was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and served as the 8th Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) from 2 July 2009 to 8 August 2011. Olson was the first Navy SEAL ever to be appointed to three-star and four-star rank, as well as the first naval officer to be USSOCOM's combatant commander. In addition, Admiral Olson is currently the Bull Frog, the longest serving Navy SEAL still on duty. At four-star flag rank, Olson is the highest-ranking Navy SEAL to hold the Bull Frog title. Admiral Olson relinquished command of SOCOM to Admiral William H. McRaven on 22 August 2011 and retired from active duty the same day, after 38 years of service. Medals and Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal Badges & Emblems SEAL Trident In Retirement After his retirement in August 2011, he joined the board of directors of Mission Essential Personnel and Iridium Communications. He is also an honorary chairman of The OSS Society. Personal Life Olson met his wife, Marilyn, a native of New York City, when he was serving as a U.N. military observer in Israel and she was a member of the United Nation’s staff. They have been married for 30 years and have two children, Dan and Ally. |
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Honoree ID: 616 | Created by: MHOH |