Thor Ostberg - Obituary

hor E. Ostberg, 85, a 30-year resident of Davidsonville and formerly of District Heights, MD, died on January 31, 2011 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. Thor was born on May 1, 1925 in Sundsvall, Sweden to the late Karl and Magnhild Ostberg. His family immigrated to the United States in 1928 and resided in Erie, PA where Thor graduated from Strong Vincent High School. In 1943, he joined the Naval Reserves. Thor completed his college level GED while on active duty. He attended the University of Hawaii where he studied European Masterpieces. He also graduated from the Naval Reserve Officers Photographic Interpretation and Photogrammetry School. Thor was a member of the Amphibious Landing Group that invaded Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944. His actions earned him the Combat Medal with two battle stars. During Thor’s military career, he was also awarded the European Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the European Occupation Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. After the war, Thor participated in the Atomic Bomb experiment (Operation Crossroads) at Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Intelligence Specialist in 1964 and immediately joined the Federal government. In 1981, Thor retired as a senior Intelligence Specialist from the Naval Intelligence Support Center after an impressive, combined military and civil service career spanning more than 38 years. Thor was a member of the American Society of Photogrammetry, the Andrews Air Force Base Golf Club and Branch 024 of the Fleet Reserve Association. In addition to his parents, Thor was predeceased by his brothers, Karl R. and Lennart K. Ostberg. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Alice Ostberg, and one daughter, Kathryn Ostberg Milbert of Rockville, MD. Thor will be buried at sea by the U.S. Navy with military honors in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of ones choice.