Leif Andreas Larsen (9 January 1906 - 12 October 1990), popularly known as Shetland's Larsen, was probably the most famous of the men that operated the Shetland Bus escape route during WWII.
Escaping Norway in February 1941 in the fishing boat MOTIG 1, he trained with the Linge Company, and was elected the first skipper operating the Shetland route.
In all he made 52 trips to Norway. With eleven distinctions he became the most highly decorated naval officer of the Second World War -- no other man, British or foreign, received the same British military honours. Among his British honours were the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and Bar, Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Order. He received Norwegian honours such as the War Cross with Sword and Star, the St. Olav Medal with oak branch, the War Medal, the Participation (in WWII) Medal and King Haakon VII's 70th anniversary Medal.
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