World War II Honoree

Nils Berger Olsen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

CTRCM Thomas H. Helvig USN (Ret)

Relationship

Nephew

MEMBER OF THE 99TH INFANTRY BATTALION (SEPARATE) NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN SKI TROOPS, 474TH INFANTRY REGIMENT DEVIL'S BRIGADE, 1ST SPECIAL FORCES. BORN IN NORWAY, HE WAS NATURALIZED A U.S. CITIZEN ON JUNE 18, 1943 AT LEADVILLE, COLORADO WHILE ASSIGNED SKI TROOP TRAINING AT CAMP HALE, COLORADO. HIS UNIT SAILED FROM THE U.S. ON THE SS MEXICO AND ARRIVED IN ENGLAND IN SEPTEMBER 1943. WENT ASHORE ON D-DAY PLUS 15. FIRST ACTION WAS IN THE TAKING OF CHERBOURG, FRANCE. BROTHER WAS KILLED IN ACTION WHILE ADVANCING WITH HIS UNIT ON JULY 15, 1944. FOUND OUT ABOUT HIS BROTHER'S DEATH WHEN A LETTER HE HAD SENT WAS RETURNED AT THE BATTLEFRONT WITH 'DECEASED KILLED IN ACTION' WRITTEN ON THE ENVELOPE. HE SAW FURTHER ACTION IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM AND WAS ENGAGED WITH THE GERMANS IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. WHILE ADVANCING WITH HIS UNIT IN BELGIUM, HE WAS ASLEEP SITTING AGAINST A TREE ON SEPTEMBER 19,1944 AND WOUNDED BY A GERMAN SNIPER. THE ROUND ENTERED AND EXITED THE FRONT OF HIS HELMET WHICH HE CONTINUED TO WEAR THROUGHOUT THE WAR. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR AND PURPLE HEART.