Orin D. Haugen
US Army officer (1907–1945)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orin Doughty Haugen (August 18, 1907 – February 22, 1945) was a Colonel in the United States Army and commanding officer of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II.
Orin D. Haugen | |
|---|---|
Haugen as 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment commander c. 1944 | |
| Nickname | Hard Rock |
| Born | August 18, 1907 |
| Died | February 22, 1945 (aged 37) |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
Branch |  United States Army |
Service years | 1930–1945 |
Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment |
Conflicts | |
| Awards | Silver Star Air Medal Legion of Merit |
Career
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Born in Wyndmere, North Dakota, Haugen graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1930. Commissioned into the Infantry Branch, Haugen had a variety of postings and training.
In 1940 he was serving in the 32nd Infantry at Fort Ord, California when he volunteered for the then new United States Parachute Troops. Captain Haugen become commander of "A" Company of the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion. He later became executive officer of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment then became the first regimental commander of the 511th Parachute Infantry.[1]
Orin Haugen died en route to a hospital on New Guinea from wounds sustained during the Battle of Manila, one day before his regiment would rescue POWs under Japanese military control at Los Baños.[2] [3] [4]