Olav Richard Crone-Aamot, 87, of Fairmont, White Hall, West Virginia died October 3, 2016 in the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport of congestive heart failure.
He was born in Manhattan, New York City, of January 22, 1929, the only son of Olva and Gunhild Crone-Aamot.He lived in Oslo, Norway and was a member of the Norwegian underground movement during the German occupation of Norway from April 9, 1940 until June, 1945, then he was a member of the Royal Norwegian Army, followed by a short stint as interpreter for the Royal British Army.He joined the United States Army in January, 1947, as a European enlistee while still 17 years old.He attended and graduated from Officer’s Candidate School and remained with the US forces for the following 36 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.He directed 1200 partisans in operations behind enemy lines in North Korea during the Korean War and was in charge of producing strategic intelligence studies for J2MACV in Vietnam.He spent a total of 26 years in Europe and 10 years in the Orient.He spoke six languages, and has written several manuscripts on Vikings and two manuscripts on German intelligence operations during World War II.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Solveig.
He leaves his wife, Carolyn Deputy Crone-Aamot of Fairmont; one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara (Aamot) and David Sobel, and two grandchildren, Gordon (Faith) and Jacqueline (Don) of Pittsburgh, PA; a sister, Ragnhild, four nieces and a nephew all of Norway.
At the request of the deceased there will be no funeral home visitation or funeral service.Following cremation, interment will take place in Norway at a later date.
The Tennant Funeral Home in Hundred, WV is in charge of arrangements.
My first "meeting" with Olav was via a letter that I wrote to him regarding his novel, Magnus the Viking. Our connection was warm and friendly as we shared our love of Norway and Norwegians. I am so sad to learn of his passing.
Gordon Ellison
Newberg, Oregon