Past National Commander Orlo Natvig was born in Lawler, Iowa. He
enlisted in the Army Air Corps and trained as a radio operator. He was
assigned to the 91 Bomb Group, 324 Squadron at Bassingbourne, England.
His B17 (Local Girl) was shot down over Emden, Germany on September 27,
1943. His crew bailed out of the burning airplane over Holland and was
one of the 6 men on the crew who survived (4 died). After passing
through German interrogation centers he was sent to Stalag 17B at Krems,
Austria. While on a forced march he was liberated by the 13 Armored
Division May 3, 1945. He was honorably discharged from the Army Air
Corps in October, 1945.
Orlo was married to Ruth Phillips of New Hampton, Iowa in 1945. Ruth and
Orlo had 4 children, Connie Minnes, Sue Waite, Kristin Swanson, Bruce
and 7 grandchildren.
He was Industrial Safety Manager for White Farm Equipment Company of
Charles City, Iowa and served his community as President of the Kiwanis
Club, Master of Masonic Lodge, President of the NE Iowa Consistory Club
and other civic groups. He was President of the church congregation in
Charles City.
Orlo served as an officer of The American Ex-Prisoners of War for 15
years and its National Commander for one year. While National Commander,
he established the Washington National office, printed a roster of all
POW members, printed VA emergency stickers for driver’s license and
arranged for the first civilian POW reunion. He was President of Stalag
17B, a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the
Disabled American Veterans.
Sue Natvig Waite,
1947-1999
Sue was a Life Member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War and daughter
of Past National Commander Orlo Natvig and Ruth Natvig. She was born in
New Hampton, Iowa, attended Iowa State University and was graduated from
Winona State University, Minnesota in elementary education. She enjoyed
a long teaching career.
She was President of the P.E.O. Chapters in Lompoc and Santa Barbara and
President of the P.T.S.A. at Cabrillo H.S. and the Lompoc Federation of
Teachers. She tutored many youth and adults and urged them to continue
their education. Sue assisted a number of young women to obtain
scholarships at Cotty College and the University of California.
Sue died after a 3-year battle with breast cancer, she is survived by
her husband of 29 years, Jack, and sons: Adam, U.S. Air Force Academy,
Colorado Springs, CO; Andrew, student at Cabrillo H.S., her mother Ruth
and step father Lloyd Kilmer of Sun City West, AZ; sisters Connie Minnes
and Kristin Swenson, brother Bruce and 7 nieces and nephews. Her father,
Orlo Natvig, preceded Sue in death.
