Arnold E. Olsen
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Arnold E. Olsen entered the Army on June 22, 1943.
He was a Technician 4th Grade and a truck driver and armorer in charge of all guns and tanks for his battalion. He served with the Service Company, 717th Tank Battalion, in the Rhineland and Central Europe. He fired his first shot in combat at the Rhine River in Germany in March 1945. He ended war at Bottrop, Germany, on May 8, 1945.
Mr. Olsen received the: Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with two bronze battle stars, American Campaign Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and an overseas service bar.
He was discharged on Feb. 21, 1946.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 230.
