Indiana Wrestling Mourns The Loss of All-American Oliver G. Cellini
9/15/2020 1:26:00 PM | Wrestling
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– Col. (Ret.) Oliver G. Cellini was an All-American wrestler and an All-American hero.
Cellini was a two-time All-American and was a member of the 1932 Indiana Wrestling National Championship Team. In 1939 Cellini was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps that would later become the U.S. Air Force.
Cellini passed away on September 12, 2020. He was 107 years old.
"We send our condolences to the Cellini family," IU head coach Angel Escobedo said. "Oliver will be remembered for serving his country and the great success he had in the Indiana wrestling program. Oliver stands for the same things I emphasize in our program and he will never be forgotten."
During his time in Bloomington, the Hoosier wrestling team went 24-1 (11-0 Big Ten), and won the only NCAA Championship for the Hoosier wrestling program in 1932. Cellini finished second in his weight class, which qualified him to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
While at Indiana University, Cellini was a member of the ROTC program. After he graduated, he spent 13 months serving in active duty with the Army before entering flight school.
He flew 60 different types of fighter jets over his 32-year career with the military. During that time, he soared thousands of feet in the air over three continents and two wars.
Cellini took part in both World War II and the Korean War. During WWII he helped train Chinese gunnery pilots, which earned him a visit and medal from the leader of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-Shek. He also earned other accomplishments such as the Legion of Merit and The Distinguished Flying Cross for his immaculate abilities in an airplane.
Indiana University Wrestling Accomplishments
Cellini was a two-time All-American and was a member of the 1932 Indiana Wrestling National Championship Team. In 1939 Cellini was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps that would later become the U.S. Air Force.
Cellini passed away on September 12, 2020. He was 107 years old.
"We send our condolences to the Cellini family," IU head coach Angel Escobedo said. "Oliver will be remembered for serving his country and the great success he had in the Indiana wrestling program. Oliver stands for the same things I emphasize in our program and he will never be forgotten."
During his time in Bloomington, the Hoosier wrestling team went 24-1 (11-0 Big Ten), and won the only NCAA Championship for the Hoosier wrestling program in 1932. Cellini finished second in his weight class, which qualified him to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
While at Indiana University, Cellini was a member of the ROTC program. After he graduated, he spent 13 months serving in active duty with the Army before entering flight school.
He flew 60 different types of fighter jets over his 32-year career with the military. During that time, he soared thousands of feet in the air over three continents and two wars.
Cellini took part in both World War II and the Korean War. During WWII he helped train Chinese gunnery pilots, which earned him a visit and medal from the leader of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-Shek. He also earned other accomplishments such as the Legion of Merit and The Distinguished Flying Cross for his immaculate abilities in an airplane.
Indiana University Wrestling Accomplishments
- Ollie Cellini graduate of Indiana University from 1931-1935
- 4-year member of IU wrestling from 1931-1935
- Member of the 1931-32 NCAA Wrestling Champions
- 3x letterman on the IU Wrestling Team
- 2x NCAA All-American Wrestler (1933, 1934)
- 2nd place in NCAA tournament 1934, 3rd place finish in 1933 @ 126lbs
- 1939 commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps (later to become the U.S. Air Force)
- Earned his wings as Pursuit Pilot
- Flight instructor to Chinese Nationalist pilots who were preparing to repel the Japanese invasion of their homeland.
- Piloted P-47's over the Himalayas to attack and destroy Japanese bases in China
- Flew countless missions in theater of operations and was promoted to full Colonel by the and of WWII.
- 1950, Col.Cellini was a Wing Commander in the 51st Fighter Wing flying the Lockheed F-80, the first American Fighter Jet to engage in combat in Korea.
- Flew of 80 combat missions in Korea.
- 1968 retired after 32 years of active military service.
- Awards - 4x Legion of Merit, 4x Distinguished Flying Cross, 5x Air Medal
- Medal for Valor - award by then President Chaing-Kai for his service to Nationalist China for his service in WWII.
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