World War II Honoree

Alvin Werner Oltmans

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Raymond, South Dakota

Honored By

Gary A. Oltmans

Relationship

Son

FIRST LIEUTENANT. SERVED SEPTEMBER 16, 1942 TO DECEMBER 5, 1945 WITH 843RD ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION. THE BATTALION WAS ACTIVATED AND TRAINED AT FORT MCCORD IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON, EMBARKING FOR OVERSEAS ON MAY 23, 1943 ABOARD THE SS MARIPOSA, SAILING TO LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. ON D-DAY +25, HE LANDED IN NORMANDY, FOLLOWING THE ADVANCING ARMIES ACROSS NORTHERN FRANCE, OPERATING IN THE NORTH SIDE OF PARIS AND FINALLY IN AND AROUND MUNICH, GERMANY. CONSTRUCTED RUNWAYS AND AIRFIELD FACILITIES, ENABLING AMERICAN AND BRITISH PLANES TO OPERATE CLOSER TO MILITARY TARGETS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY. CONSTRUCTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, 40 AIRFIELDS IN EUROPE.