Erling O. Kruse

Erling Ove Kruse (born 10 August 1922 in Oslo) is a decorated Norwegian Colonel.
Kruse was the son of teacher and pastor Just Kruse (1886-1962) and Grete Eline Kruse (née Kinn, 1893-1959) In 1944 he married Eunice M. Kruse (née Cooklin, 1925). He is the brother of physiotherapist Astrid E. Kruse Andersen (b. 1926) and the father of the composer and musician Bjørn Kruse (b. 1946) and the orchestra leader and musician Philip Kruse (b. 1949) and grandfather of Jannike, Anine og Benedikte Kruse.
Kruse came to Svalbard with his family in 1935, the son of teacher and priest in Longyearbyen. He trained as a telegraphist at Oslo Sjømannsskole 1940 and was a telegrapher at the weather forecast station at Svalbard 1940-41. He served in World War II and enlisted in the Norwegian Royal Air Force in England where he served as telegrapher at the 330 Squadron, after the dramatic evacuation of Longearbyen in 1941.
Honours
* Krigsmedaljen (War Medal)
* Deltakermedaljen (Defence Medal 1940-45)
* Haakon VIIs 70-årsmedalje (King Haakon VII 70th Anniversary Medal)
* Forsvarets fortjenestemedalje (Armed Forces Medal of Merit)
* 1939-1945 Star
* Atlantic Star<ref name=Steenstrup/>

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