Roland Cameron Opsahl was born on May 17, 1921, in Nelson County, North Dakota, USA. He was the son of Helmer Opsahl and the husband of Dorothy K. Schuh Opsahl.

Roland served in the 577th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, as a Sergeant and Mechanic/Gunner on the B-24 Liberator #42-7497 during World War II.

On March 18, 1944, his crew took off from Station 118 airfield in Wendling, England, for a mission in Friedrichshafen. At 1510 hours, the plane was last seen spinning down to the left, with one engine on fire, and subsequently crashing. A total of seven parachutes in two groups were seen. Those seven crew members, including Sgt Opsahl, became prisoners of war. The bodies of the other three crew members were discovered in the wreckage.

Sgt Opsahl was held prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 1 from March 1944 until liberation. He served in the U.S. Air Force for over 30 years. During his lengthy military career, Roland and his beloved wife Dorothy traveled and lived all over the world, settling in Mesa, AZ. Roland enjoyed a rewarding second career at Bechtel where he was responsible for assuring quality control of the materials used to build the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Throughout both of his careers, Roland was consistently recognized for his dedication and commitment, winning numerous awards and accolades.

Roland died on July 30, 2013, at the age of 92, in Fishers, Indiana. He is now buried in the Lakota Cemetery, Lakota, Nelson County, North Dakota.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net