Nils-Fredrik Palmstierna

Friherre Major General Nils-Fredrik Palmstierna (8 March 1919 – 5 August 1990) was a Swedish Air Force officer. His senior commands include the post of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of Staff of the Eastern Military District and head of the Swedish Armed Forces Staff College.

Early life Palmstierna was born on 8 March 1919 in Eksjö Parish, Jönköping County, the son of Colonel, Friherre Henrik Palmstierna and his wife Inger (née Fåhræus). Palmstierna passed studentexamen in Skövde in 1939. He attended the Staff Course at the Royal Swedish Air Force Staff College in 1949 and was appointed captain the same year. From 1953 to 1955, he served as squadron commander at Halland Air Force Wing (Hallands flygflottilj, F 14). during which time he served as an expert in the 1960 and the 1962 Defense Committees. Three years later, he assumed the position of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and head of the Operations Command on 1 April 1970 and he was promoted to major general on 1 October the same year. Palmstierna was then chief of staff of the Eastern Military District from 1973 to 1978 and commanding officer of the Swedish Armed Forces Staff College from 1978 to 1984.

Palmstierna died on 5 August 1990 in in Danderyd Municipality, Stockholm County. He was buried in Djursholm Cemetery on 17 December 1990.

Dates of rank 1942 – Second lieutenant 1944 – Lieutenant 1949 – Captain 1955 – Major 1959 – Lieutenant colonel 1963 – Colonel 1970 – Major general

Awards and decorations

Honours Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (1962)