Elmer Olson 1902-1943

OLSON, MCDONOUGH, REED

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/29/2014 at 00:49:43

Elmer Olson Missing in Sicily Action
In Naval Service for 25 Years, Since 1918
Elmer Olson, 40, son of Henry P. Olson, is reported missing in action in Sicily, according to a telegram received yesterday afternoon by Mr. Olson from Mrs. Olson who live in Oswego, N.Y.

“Received telegram, Elmer missing in action in Sicily, July 11.”

Elmer Olson had been in the navy for the past 20 years, joining the service in 1918. For some time he had been stationed at New York.

He is survived by his widow, one daughter who graduated from a New York high school this spring; his father, a brother, Martin, of Des Moines, and two sisters, Mrs. Harold Reed of Manchester and Mrs. Verle McWonough of Boone. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 16, 1943)

Elmer Olson Killed in Action
In U.S. Army 22 Years; Son of Henry Olson
In Mediterranean Theater of War
Chief Warrant Officer Elmer Olson was killed in action July 10, according to a telegram from the government sent to his wife who lives in Oswego, N.Y.

Warrant Officer Olson previously was reported as missing in action in Sicily, it was learned Aug. 16. Olson is the son of Henry P. Olson of Estherville.

No Details Given
No Details were given in the telegram received by his wife and it is believed by the family that he was killed either in North Africa or in the Sicilian campaign.

Elmer Olson was born Feb. 3, 1902, in Estherville. He attended the local schools and was baptized and confirmed at the Estherville Lutheran church. He retained his membership in the Estherville church.

In Army since 1921
Olson enlisted in the fall of 1921 and has been in the army since then. Had he survived he would have been pensioned following this war. He received his chief warrant officer’s commission shortly after landing in Africa.

Warrant Officer Olson was married in 1924 and besides his widow is survived by one daughter, Beverly, both of Oswego, N.Y. Other survivors are his father, Henry P. Olson of Estherville; a brother, Martin, of Ottumwa and two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy McDonough of Boone and Mrs. Harold Reed of Manchester. Two sisters preceded him in death.

Relatives are planning to hold memorial services in Estherville. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, September 9, 1943)

Elmer Olson is Casualty
Son of Henry P. Olson Reported Killed In Action July 10 in Sicily
Word received by the wife on Aug. 16, and relayed to the father, Henry P. Olson of Estherville, gives the sad news of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Elmer Olson on July 10. Olson was killed in action in Sicilly. The wife resides in Oswego, N.Y. There were no details give in the dispatch.

Elmer has been in the army for 22 years, enlisting in 1921. He was born in Estherville, Feb. 3, 1902, attended the Estherville schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Estherville Lutheran where he still maintains membership.

Surviving are the wife and one daughter, Beverly of Oswego, his father, H.P. Olson of Estherville, one brother, Martin of Ottumwa, and two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy McDonough of Boone and Mrs. Harold Reed of Manchester. His mother and two sisters preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held in Estherville. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 9, 1943)