Berle K. Olson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Photo 1: Berle Olson in uniform. Photo 2: Portrait of Berle Olson drawn by an artist, Mr. Kovach, at the USO Camp Show at Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, October 1945. It was evidently mailed home. Photo 3: Mr. Olson's military decorations.
Berle K. Olson served in World War II in the European Theater. He served in the U.S. Army from March 1944 until January 1946.
He was assigned to Patton’s 3rd Army. His rank was Corporal.
Mr. Olson served in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded in the hip. He was sent to a hospital in England. General Patton came and visited his ward and his “boys.” General Patton thanked Mr. Olson for his service and pinned a Purple Heart Medal on his hospital gown. Mr. Olson recovered.
He was serving with General Patton in Pizen (Pilsen), Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), on May 6, 1945, the day the city was liberated. At the time, he was part of the 317th Infantry, 80th Division.
Mr. Olson was born on July 19, 191_, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, the son of Herman and Bessie Olson.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran account (see below)
"God bless the people of the Czech Republic! Does anyone in Europe remember America’s sacrifice in WWII? The answer can be found in the Czech town of Pilsen (Pizen). I was in town with General Patton on May 6 when the town was liberated. Every five years Pizen holds a Liberation Celebration of their town by Patton’s 3rd Army. May 6, 2010, marked the 65th anniversary. They have a monument that says, “Thank you American for liberating Pizen on May 6, 1945.” Pizen is a town that every American should visit. They love America and the American soldier . . . even 65 years later . . . by the thousands.
I was one of “Patton’s Boys,” and I fought at the Battle of the Bulge. I was wounded in the hip, and they sent me to England. Patton came to the hospital to see how his “boys” were doing. When he stepped in the ward, he stopped at Bed 1. The nurse told him, “He can’t understand you, he’s German.” Patton let with about 30 *cuss words, ending with, “Get that blankety-blank German away from my boys.” You never saw anyone move as fast as those nurses pushing that bed down the hall.
I was in Bed 3. He asked about my wound and said he “had about nine holes” in him. He thanked me for my service and pinned a Purple Heart on my hospital gown. I will always remember him as a good man.
