World War II Honoree

Francis Luther Olson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Warrens, Wisconsin

Honored By

Ed Olson and Family

Relationship

Son

ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 36810627. TRAINED AS A RANGER AND PARATROOPER. SAW ACTION IN NORTH AFRICA AT CASSERINE PASS, HILL 609, BAZERTI TUNISIA, PUSHING THE GERMANS NORTH. LANDED AT SALERNO AND AGAIN AT ANZIO. SAW ACTION AT MONTE CASSINO. HEADED FOR ROME. NORTH OF ROME NEAR LEGHORN, GERMAN COUNTER ATTACK PINNED DOWN ADVANCE. TOO MANY CASUALTIES FOR THE MEDICS TO HANDLE, HELPED BRING THE INJURED BACK UNDER FIRE ALL DAY AND NIGHT. WON THE BRONZE STAR FOR HEROIC ACTIONS. RECEIVED CONCUSSION INJURY TO CHEST NEAR PO RIVER IN NORTHERN ITALY. SENT TO NAPLES. ASSIGNED TO 15TH AIR FORCE AS TRUCK DRIVER WHEN RECOVERED. SHIPPED FROM NAPLES TO NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA TO FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS FOR DISCHARGE. TWICE, ONCE FROM THE 34TH INFANTRY DIVISION AND AGAIN FROM THE 15TH AIR FORCE.