Iowa Barber Gives Nazis Close Shaves
By Frank Miles
(Daily Times Herald News Correspondent)
With the Fifth Army in Italy (IDPA) -- Sgt. Wilford G. Olsen, Thor, was a barber before he got into the army.
Now as chief of a 105-millimeter howitzer section in the 91st 'Powder River" division, he tries to cut the hair and shave the faces of Jerries too close, massage them to sleep and give them stunning tonics.
Off duty he sets out comrades' ears with a small set of army-issued tools as they sit in his barber chair made of ammunition boxes, which can be and is set up most anywhere. Olson followed the barber trade in Ft. Dodge,, Nashua and Thor for six years, and intends to return to Thor after the war.
Proud of Town
"Thor's a great little town of swell people with a lot of prosperous farmers around it," he said. "If any one hasn't heard of it, it's his own fault."
Second Lieutenant Donald A. Molyneaux, Rose Hill, recently was promoted from master sergeant in recognition of his good services for the adjutant general of the First armored division.
Staff Sgt. Howard Snook, Newton, has been promoted from private first class in reward for his work in the supply section of the 349th "Kraut killer" regiment of the 88th "Blue Devil" division.
Furloughs
Iowa solders announced as homeward bound on 30-day furloughs: 1st Sgt. Edward C. Petty, Des Moines; Pvt. Tom Feeley, Eagle Grove; Pfc. Edward Benson, Tama; Staff Sgt. Orville C. Mathern, Toledo; Cpl. Robert Woodridge, Knoxville; Cpl. Fred F. Breeser, New Albin; and Staff Sgt. Max L. Wilbert, Fort Madison, all of the 168th infantry, 34th "Red Bull" division.
Petty is a veteran of the Tunisian and Italian campaigns and wears four campaign stars on his European theater ribbon, the combat infantryman's badge and the purple heart with oak leaf cluster for being wounded twice in action. Three brothers are in the navy: Ensign Joe, in the states, Howard and Donald, in the south Pacific, and another brother, Pvt. Fred Petty, is in the infantry in France.
Feeley was in the Tunisian and Italian campaigns and wear the purple heart for wounds received in an air raid. Four brothers are in service: Elmer in the navy; Ed in the marines, and Joe and Guy Feely in the army. All but Joe are overseas.
Benson went through the Tunisian and Italian campaigns, wears four stars on this European theater ribbon, wears the combat infantryman badge and a unit citation. Two brothers, Phillip and Earle Benson are in the infantry in France.
Mathern is a veteran of the Tunisian and Italian campaigns, wears four stars on his European theater ribbon, the combat infantryman badge and a unit citation. A brother, Sgt. Dale Mathern, is in a engineer unit in England.
Woodridge was in the Tunisian and Italian campaigns, has four stars on his European theater ribbon, the combat infantryman badge and a unit citation.
Bresser was through the Tunisian and Italian campaigns, and wears four stars on his European theater ribbon, the combat infantryman badge, the purple heart and a unit citation.
Wilbert was in the Tunisian and Italian campaigns, wears four stars on his European theater ribbon, the combat infantryman badge and the purple heart.
Your correspondent learned of the death of Clare Marshall of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, in a letter from a mutual friend which came to me while I was writing this article.
I am deeply grieved. He worked with me on the Iowa Legionaire 20 years ago, he was a grand character and we were close personal friends. May God rest his noble soul and give his lovely widow and charming children some contentment in the knowledge that he was among God's finest human creations.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, February 10, 1945
