PUKSE, OLGERTS BERNHARDS

• February 6, 1899 - Born, in Bolderaja, Latvia
• 1922 - Enrolls in flight school. Rank: Lieutenant
• April 19, 1923 - Makes his first solo flight, then graduates from flight school.
• Served as a flight instructor.
• Through a special arrangement by Minister of Defense Bangerskis, Pukse teaches airplane designer Nikolajs Pulins to fly.
• September 7, 1926 - makes the first test flight of Pulins' "Ikars".
• December 28, 1927 - participates in a flight school conference to discuss the acquisition of new training aircraft. This led to the acquisition of the Udet Flamingo trainers.
• August 28, 1928 - promoted to the rank of Captain.
• June 5, 1932 - Participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
• 1932 - teaches Karlis Irbitis to fly.
• May 28, 1933 - Participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
• Sept.9, 1934 - Participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
• August 18, 1935 - Pukse test flies the rebuilt "Zilais Putns" (YL-AAQ).
• September 8, 1935 - Participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
• June 7, 1936 - Commander of the 6th Squadron, based at Gulbene.
• January 1938 - briefly commands the 4th Reconaissance Squadron.
• 1938 - holds an administrative position in the Aviation Regiment Supply Section.
• 1939 - Commander of the Reconnaissance Squadron based at Gulbene.
• 1940-1941 (Soviet Occupation) - serves as a flight leader with the Latvian Squadron of the Soviet 24th Territorial Corps, stationed at Gulbene flying the SV-5s.
• May, 1941 - the Soviets abruptly release him from his post, stating that he is not suitable for military service.
• June 14, 1941 - the Soviets arrest him and deport him to Siberia.
• Eventually, after his leg had to be amputated, he is permitted to return to Latvia.
• August 21, 1977 - Died, in Riga. Over 150 people attended his funeral, including a number from his Aviation Regiment days.