Betty Magnuson Olson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Betty Magnuson Olson served in World War II in the European Theater.
She served in the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) from February 1943 until November 1945. She served as a secretary to the Port Inspector General of Newport News, Virginia, until July 1944, when she transferred to the 27th Traffic Regulatory Group in the Transportation Corps. She was prepared for overseas duty.
She landed in Normandy, France, in September 1944, and traveled to Paris. She was the secretary to Major General Frank S. Ross, Chief of Transportation for the European Theater. The office administered all transport in the ETO except air travel. She was then transferred to Transportation Corps Headquarters in Frankfurt, occupied Germany, in September 1945. She was discharged in November 1945. Her rank was Technical Sergeant.
Ms. Olson was born in Duluth, Minnesota.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 230. and Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran account (see below)
"We embarked on the Queen Mary, landed in Scotland and spent several days in an English army camp before leaving for Southampton. We landed at Utah Beach in Normandy on Labor Day, 1944, and were transported to Paris. For the first month we were restricted to hotel quarters because of German soldiers in hiding and also in December during the Battle of the Bulge. Otherwise, our days were quite civilian-like. I was secretary to Maj. Gen. Frank S. Ross, Chief of Transportation for the European Theater. Our office administered all transportation in the ETO except for air. The famous ''Red Ball Express'' was the general's baby. I was transferred to Transportation Corps Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, in September 1945. The city was ruined, but we were billeted in apartment buildings on the outskirts -- apartments that had been built for employees of the I.G. Farben industry. One of my lasting memories was VE Day in Paris!" She was discharged in November 1945 and notes, "I was home in Duluth for Thanksgiving!"
