Posted on 10/13/2017 7:32:51 AM PDT by fugazi
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Arlo L. Olson (ASN: 0-386969), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action at the Volturno River, Italy. On 13 October 1943, when the drive across the Volturno River began, Captain Olson and his company spearheaded the advance of the regiment through 30 miles of mountainous enemy territory in 13 days. Placing himself at the head of his men, Captain Olson waded into the chest-deep water of the raging Volturno River and despite pointblank machine-gun fire aimed directly at him made his way to the opposite bank and threw two hand grenades into the gun position, killing the crew. When an enemy machinegun 150 yards distant opened fire on his company, Captain Olson advanced upon the position in a slow, deliberate walk. Although five German soldiers threw hand grenades at him from a range of five yards, Captain Olson dispatched them all, picked up a machine pistol and continued toward the enemy. Advancing to within 15 yards of the position he shot it out with the foe, killing nine and seizing the post. Throughout the next 13 days Captain Olson led combat patrols, acted as company No. 1 scout and maintained unbroken contact with the enemy. On 27 October 1943, Captain Olson conducted a platoon in attack on a strongpoint, crawling to within 25 yards of the enemy and then charging the position. Despite continuous machinegun fire which
(Excerpt) Read more at victoryinstitute.net ...
Also, happy 242nd birthday to the U.S. Navy.
Looks like Capt. Olson led the proverbial “charmed life” ... until he got kilt.
It’s also reported that Winston Churchill, on first seeing Claire Chennault, not even knowing who he was, said “I’m glad he’s on our side”.
“It’s also reported that Winston Churchill, on first seeing Claire Chennault, not even knowing who he was, said “I’m glad he’s on our side”.
Chennault was a tough looking character and he was.
Thank you.
My Dad met him somewhere in CBI during the war.
I wish I could honestly say...at least to the second question..."absolutely".But I can't.
Men who earn medals for exceptional bravery in combat, who show bravery in the face of danger,amaze me...and make me feel small.
When I was a Lieutenant at Ft. Riley, I had the privilege of working with a fellow platoon leader who had been a SFC (E-7) before he went to OCS. He once told me that there were three kinds of soldiers: Those that will come back and report, “Sergeant, I can’t cut the grass because the lawnmower is broken,” those that will fix the lawnmower by themselves, and those that will go to a nearby unit and steal a working lawnmower.
Some people are simply driven to do what must be done.
Look up Air Force Academy janitor! Suppressing!
You (and Almost Everyone You Know) Owe Your Life to This Man.
Temperament matters. Especially when nuclear weapons are involved.
“Surprising”, I presume you meant.
In my time there, there was a Filipino waiter in the dining hall named “Mr. Cantu”, who was a terrible waiter, but the legend was that he couldn’t be fired because he had rendered some heroic service to the US during WWII.
Your 3 types of soldiers statement is spot on.
I liked it.
Your 3 types of soldiers statement is spot on.
I liked it.
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