World War II Honoree

Norris O. Olson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lyon County, Minnesota

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER AS A STAFF SERGEANT AND TANK PLATOON LEADER WITH THE 735TH TANK BATTALION. LANDED WITH HIS UNIT IN FRANCE ON JULY 11, 1944 AND PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. SERVED WITH GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY ATTACHED TO THE 5TH INFANTRY 'RED DIAMOND' DIVISION DURING OPERATIONS TO SEIZE FORT DRIANT, A KEY FORT PROTECTING THE WESTERN APPROACHES TO THE CITY OF METZ ON THE MOSELLE RIVER. ON OCTOBER 6, 1944 WHILE PROTECTING THE SOUTHERN FLANK OF THE FORT FROM COUNTERATTACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO BELEAGUERED INFANTRY FORCES IN THE FORT, HIS SHERMAN TANK WAS FIRED ON BY ENEMY TANKS AND DESTROYED. HE AND HIS GUNNER WERE KILLED DURING THE ENGAGEMENT. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.