Onward to Valhalla
The life story of a Danish-American sailor, aviator, soldier and secret agent
More than a Viking call to arms, Onward to Valhalla is a collection of stories that chronicle the incredible life of Leif Bangsboll, a Danish sailor, Norwegian aviator, American Airborne, Green Beret soldier, and secret agent with the Office of Strategic Services.
A narrative-driven, non-fiction book, Onward to Valhalla weaves a dramatic account of dire personal circumstances and global events, while highlighting the resilience, honor, audacity and unwavering sense of duty of a courageous Danish-American man who dedicated his life to the defense of his country and its allies, including:
- Leif's christening at five weeks of age aboard His Danish Majesty’s Ship (HDMS) GrØnsund in the middle of the North Sea
- his attendance as a young man at German Chancellor Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday celebration in Berlin
- his unplanned role in the rescue mission off the embattled shores of Dunkirk
- pilot training with the Norwegian Air Force in Canada
- secret agent training at the SOE's top-secret installation, known as Camp X
- a parachute drop in the dark of night into occupied Denmark as an OSS agent
- sabotage missions against the Nazis
- the elimination of traitors and collaborators
- deadly run-ins with the KGB in Soviet-occupied Germany
- combat jumps with the 187th Airborne Regiment Combat Team in Korea
- and more…
Its vibrant details and remarkable narrative—abundant with adventure, adversity, inter-personnel challenges and hard-fought victories on the battlefield—will appeal to readers who enjoy fiction, biography or military history, as it takes them to the heart of both patriotism and an endearing family legacy.
First Lieutenant Leif Bangsboll,
82nd Airborne Division, 1946.
According to ancient Viking lore…
A Viking warrior has two deaths. The first death, which all Vikings hope will come in battle, sees the slain warrior chosen by the Valkyries as worthy of a place in Valhalla and taken to sit with their god Odin in the great hall of their Viking ancestors. The second and final death of a Viking warrior is deemed to come when his name is spoken on earth for the very last time; hence the importance of the oral tradition and Viking clan stories passed from generation to generation, which create, in essence, Viking immortality.
A SENSE OF IMMORTALITY…
In April 2019, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired/Deceased) Leif Bangsboll was posthumously inducted into the United States Special Forces Command “Commando Hall of Honor” at the Special Forces Headquarters in Tampa, Florida. With this great recognition of Leif’s dedication and loyal service, a sense of immortality has been bestowed to this worthy recipient - A Danish-American hero. Lieutenant Colonel Brook Bangsboll and his brother Chris stand with medal and citation in front of their father's award display (April 2019)