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A Family of Service; Father/Son Purple Hearts


kcmo
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All,

 

Wanted to share the service and sacrifice of the Olson family during WWI and WWII. In WWI, PFC Olson served in L company of the 32nd Division and his two brothers, Frank and Hayward served in the Navy. During the war, PVT Olson would be wounded in Aisen-Marne Offensive on July 31, 1918 and gassed during Meuse Argonne on October 5, 1918 before his discharge in 1919. Hayward would also be discharged in 1919 and it appears that Frank stayed in the Navy following the war after serving on the USS Ammen.

 

In 1932, Mr. Olson received his Purple Heart with the LOLC back in his hometown of Menominee, Michigan. He would stay in the area until around 1943 when he moved to Los Angeles. PVT Olson died in 1962 and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

 

PFC Olson had at least two sons that served in the military during WWII. John served in the Navy and his brother William in 506 PIR, 101st Airborne. Unfortunately, William was killed in action in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944 when the C-47 (#42-100905) was shot down by anti-aircraft fire around Magneville, France losing the crew and all paratroopers onboard. A memorial stands in France for the crew and another bomber crew that was lost during the war. PFC Olson, after the war would return back in his hometown of Menominee, Michigan for burial.

 

 

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Here is the memorial for the crew and paratroopers in France. RIP to all for making the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day.

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both medals were acquired from an auction in January being sold together as a lot. Very glad they weren't split up and sold individually.

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aerialbridge

Very moving father and son Purple Hearts. As an Angeleno, I particularly appreciate this group. Glad you've kept it together and are keeping their memories alive, as we collectors generally do.

 

From the LA Times, 5 Aug 1944-

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Interesting...looks like they lived pretty close to each other. My father in law grew up in the 30s and 40s not a mile south of where William lived and used to ride his bike to USC (near William's father's house) when he went to school there in the 1950s.

 

 

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aerialbridge

Thanks for the additional articles. I missed them on ancestry.

 

You're welcome, glad to help. And thanks for posting this great father/son PH group that you've got. You didn't miss the articles, they're from the LA Times archives-- not available on ancestry or newspapers.com.

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  • 1 year later...

Bringing this grouping back up for the anniversary of D-Day and the sacrifice of the Olson family.

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Very poignant group. Very nice presentation on these heroes. May they all Rest in Peace. Bobgee

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  • 11 months later...

Bringing this grouping back up for the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the sacrifice of the Olson family on this date.

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  • 11 months later...

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