S. SGT. OLSON GIVEN AWARD
W. C. Aerial Engineer-Gunner Wins Air Medal for Service.
Staff Sgt. John H. Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson of this city, has been awarded the air medal “for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European theater of operation,” according to a dispatch received by the Freeman-Journal from the Ninth air force headquarters in England.
Sergeant Olson has completed 23 missions over enemy occupied territory as an engineer gunner on a B-26 Marauder bomber, one of a force of medium bombers supporting the invasion in France.
Mr. and Mrs. Olson Friday received a letter from their son in which he stated that he had just been advanced to the rank of staff sergeant and had completed his 26th mission, but it made no mention of the air medal award.
The Webster City serviceman has been overseas since February and has been in service since February, 1941.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, June 23, 1944
50TH MISSION IS COMPLETED
Staff Sgt. Olson Now Has Air Medal Plus Five Clusters.
Staff Sgt. John H. Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson of this city has completed his 50th combat mission over Europe as an engineer gunner aboard the B-26 Marauder bomber, “Barbara Ann,” according to a dispatch sent to the Freeman-Journal from headquarters of the ninth air force bomber command in England.
The dispatch, dated Aug. 15, disclosed also that Sergeant Olson has been awarded additional oak leaf clusters to the air medal previously announced. The Webster City serviceman now has one silver cluster and four bronze clusters to his credit in addition to the air medal—all awarded for “meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European theater of operations.”
According to news received by his parents, Sergeant Olson recently enjoyed a brief furlough at a rest camp in Ireland upon completion of his missions.
The unit with which Olson’s bomber has been serving has been officially commended for outstanding work in paving the way for the invasion forces in France before and after D-day.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, August 30, 1944
STAFF SGT. OLSON DISCHARGED FROM AIR CORPS DUTIES
Staff Sgt. John Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson of this city, has received an honorable discharge from the army air forces after four years and three months of service, and he is now home visiting his parents.
The sergeant, during his long service, accumulated 147 points—nearly double the number required under the army’s plan to discharge veterans. During his seven months of duty which he spent overseas as an aerial gunner, Sergeant Olson won the air medal plus two silver and two bronze stars and the European ribbon with four battle stars.
Last located at San Antonio, Texas, the Webster City serviceman received his discharge from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., arriving here Saturday morning.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, June 5, 1945
***Further Research:
John Hillis Olson was born Aug. 24, 1919 to John M. and Karen Peterson Olson. He died Jan. 25, 2000 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
