Joseph Ingvald Olson
OLSON, PEDERSON, ROE, ELLIS, HIRSCH, THOMPSON, KOBRIGER, SHEFVELAND, RESSLER, AMUNDSON
Posted By: Dale E. Ellis (email)
Date: 10/4/2010 at 05:59:43
Source: Newspaper clipping, Elgin Echo
1943
Contributor: Dale E. Ellis (nephew of Joseph Olson)SOLDIER MAKES SUPREME SACRIFICE
OLSON, Joseph Ingvald Olson
Memorial services were held at the West Clermont Lutheran Church Sunday evening for Pvt. Joseph I. Olson, the first Clermont young man to make the supreme sacrifice for his country. Pvt. Olson was killed in action in North Africa on April 24,1943, at the age of 30 years, 4 months, and 7 days.
Rev. Axel Shefveland officiated at the service and delivered a very fitting sermon. Military honors were accorded by Sheehan Post* of the American Legion and vocal music was furnished by Supt.T.C. Ressler and a trio composed of Norman Gilbert, Arthur and Clarence Amundson. The sounding of taps brought the service to a close.
Pvt. Joseph I. Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred (Amelia Pederson) Olson, was born at Clermont, Iowa, December 16, 1912. He was baptized and later confirmed in the West Clermont Lutheran Church and remained a member of that congregation until his death. He attended the Clermont Public schools and after reaching manhood he worked on a farm. Later he was associated with Larson Bros. Roofing.
On July 28, 1941, he was united in marriage to Melintha Roe of Harpers Ferry, Iowa. They resided at Cedar Rapids where he was employed in a defense plant, when he received his call to the army. He left for service July 7, 1942 and received his training at Camp Croft, South Carolina and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He arrived in North Africa shortly before Thanksgiving last year.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his widow, Mrs. Melintha Olson, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Olson, five sisters, and one brother, namely, (Agnes) Mrs. Kenneth Ellis, Auburndale, Wisconsin; (Bessie) Mrs. Henry Hirsch, Marshfield, Wisconsin; (Irene) Mrs. Clarence Thompson, Fort Collins, Colorado; (Gladys) Mrs. Donald Kobriger, Long Beach, California; (Julia) Mrs. Orrin Roe, Harpers Ferry, Iowa and Leonard, at home. One brother, Olaf, preceded him in death in 1932.
Joseph was a young man of fine character. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a gallant soldier who served with honor in defense of his beloved country and who gave his life that the American way of life can continue. To men like him the nation owes an everlasting debt of gratitude.
* Contributor's note: In 1947 the Sheehan Post of the American Legion was renamed the Sheehan-Olson American Legion Post in honor of Joseph I. Olson. In Clermont, Iowa there is a gravestone marker for Joseph.
Additional information:
The Olson Family made the decision that Joseph's remains should remain with his fallen comrades in North Africa. Joseph I. Olson is buried at the North Africa American Cemetery at Carthage, Tunisia, Africa. He is buried at Plot B Row 2 Grave 3
He was a member of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division of the Army. Joseph was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.In addition he had been awarded the Good Conduct Medal. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 bronze service star, World War II Victory Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
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