WW2 USNA Fallen - Silver Star submariner hero Donald Scheu, USS Scorpion

Lt. Donald Scheu served on the USS Lexington and the USS Scorpion.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78319973/donald-stone-scheu
http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08278.htm
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/561824122247675724/

Donald Stone Scheu never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 30, 1918 in New York. His father Edward was most likely from Canada. I don't know where his mother Margarette was born. His father worked as an executive for the Union Explosives Company. Donald had one older brother, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. Donald was accepted to the US Naval Academy where he was the sailing team captain and graduated with the Class of 1940.

He served on the carrier USS Lexington during the Battle of Coral Sea and was part of the valiant but unsuccessful efforts to stop the internal fires that would result in the loss of Lexington on May 8, 1942. He transferred to the submarine arm of the Navy and became a lieutenant and the acting executive officer on the USS Scorpion in the Pacific Theater. Scorpion was launched in July 1942. During Scorpion's first three missions it sunk and damaged numerous enemy ships (24,000 tons sunk, 16,000 tons damaged).

Scorpion left Pearl Harbor on its final mission on December 29, 1943. Its assigned patrol area was  the East China and Yellow Seas. It was last seen on January 5, 1944 about 500 miles west of Midway Island. Scorpion has never been found and no Japanese records suggest it was sunk by Japanese actions. It is most likely that it was sunk by a mine.

Scheu was posthumously advanced in rank to lieutenant commander and was awarded the Silver Star with the following citation: 

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Donald S. Scheu (NSN: 0-85047), United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving as Gunnery Officer aboard a United States Submarine during war patrols in enemy-controlled waters during World War II. Lieutenant Scheu performed his duties courageously and with expert skill, thereby contributing to the sinking or damaging of many thousands of tons of enemy shipping.

Other sources indicate that he also was awarded the Navy Cross and Bronze Star, but I could find no details.

His cenotaph grave is at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York.

Thank you Donald for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Donald.

Last year on this date I profiled Norman LaPointe, 84th Infantry Division, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. You can read about Norman here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

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WW2 Hurtgen Forest Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Francis McGraw, 1st Infantry Division

Medal of Honor hero Francis McGraw was a machine-gunner in the 1st Infantry Division in the Hurtgen Forest.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11220880/francis-xavier-mcgraw
https://twitter.com/wwiipix/status/791661199175872512

Francis Xavier McGraw never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 29, 1918 in Pennsylvania. His parents John and Mary were also both born in Pennsylvania. Three of his grandparents were born in Ireland. His father worked as a railroad yardmaster and later he moved his family to New Jersey where he worked a grocery store manager. Francis had two younger brothers and one younger sister. At least one brother also served in the army during WW2. By 1940 Francis had completed four years of high school and was working as a packer at the Campbell Soup Company while living at home. 

He was inducted into the army on February 25, 1942 and became a private first class in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, joining as an early replacement on December 26, 1942 while the 1st ID was in North Africa.

Pfc. McGraw participated in fighting at Ousseltia Valley, Kairouan Pass, Gafsa, El Geuttar, Beja, and Mateur. Next he was part of the 1st ID's invasion of Sicily. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, fought in the Normandy hedgerows and advanced across France to the Hurtgen Forest. The enemy was well positioned in this dense, dark forest. It would be a deadly battle for the American soldiers.

Pfc. McGraw's unit was part of a attack that began on November 16, 1944. The Americans took heavy casualties over the next three days, including McGraw's company commander. The Germans decided to counterattack on November 19. Pfc McGraw played a major roll in stopping the enemy attack. He was posthumously award the Medal of Honor.

His Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

He manned a heavy machine gun in a foxhole near Schevenhutte, Germany, on 19 November 1944, when the enemy launched a fierce counterattack. 

Braving an intense hour-long preparatory barrage, he maintained his stand and poured deadly accurate fire into the advancing foot troops, until they faltered and came to a halt. The hostile forces brought up a machine gun in an effort to dislodge him but were frustrated when he lifted his gun to an exposed but advantageous position atop a log, courageously stood up in his foxhole and knocked out the enemy weapon. A rocket blasted his gun from position, but he retrieved it and continued firing. 

He silenced a second machine gun and then made repeated trips over fire-swept terrain to replenish his ammunition supply. Wounded painfully in this dangerous task, he disregarded his injury and hurried back to his post, where his weapon was showered with mud when another rocket barely missed him. In the midst of the battle, with enemy troops taking advantage of his predicament to press forward, he calmly cleaned his gun, put it back into action and drove off the attackers. 

He continued to fire until his ammunition was expended, when, with a fierce desire to close with the enemy, he picked up a carbine, killed 1 enemy soldier, wounded another and engaged in a desperate firefight with a third until he was mortally wounded by a burst from a machine pistol. 

The extraordinary heroism and intrepidity displayed by Pvt. McGraw inspired his comrades to great efforts and was a major factor in repulsing the enemy attack

Pfc. McGraw died of his wounds the next day, November 20, 1944.

His grave is at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.

Thank you Francis for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Francis.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 navigator Sidney Berk. You can read about Sidney here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
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WW2 Fallen - Medal or Honor hero Rodger Young, 37th Infantry Division, had a song written about him

Medal of Honor hero Pvt. Rodger Young served in the 37th Infantry Division in New Georgia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20871/rodger-wilton-young
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-NSolomons/index.html

Rodger Wilton Young never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 28, 1918 in Ohio. His parents Nicolas and Ester were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as a mail carrier and later sold appliances. Rodger had two older brothers, one younger brother and one younger sister. By 1940 Rodger had completed two years of high school and was still living at home, working as a welder, and participated in the Ohio National Guard.

He enlisted in the army on October 15, 1940. He held a rank of sergeant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Buckeye Division"). He was concerned that being only 5'2" with damaged hearing and needing glasses, it would be hard to serve effectively as a squad leader sergeant so he requested a reduction in rank to private. His regimental commander agreed to the unconventional request when he learned that Young was almost deaf. Pvt. Young insisted that he be allowed to stay in the unit despite his handicap.

The 37 ID's first offensive assignment was the New Georgia Campaign to capture the Japanese airbase at Munda in July 1943. The campaign did not go smoothly and the Japanese were still holding out after a month of combat. 

On July 31, 1943 Pvt. Young was part of a 20 man patrol on a recon mission that was ambushed and pinned by a concealed Japanese machine gun pit. Pvt. Young distracted the enemy and sacrificed his life, allowing the other men to withdraw to safety. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His citation reads as follows:

On 31 July 1943, the infantry company of which Pvt. Young was a member, was ordered to make a limited withdrawal from the battle line in order to adjust the battalion's position for the night. 

At this time, Pvt. Young's platoon was engaged with the enemy in a dense jungle where observation was very limited. The platoon suddenly was pinned down by intense fire from a Japanese machine-gun concealed on higher ground only 75 yards away. The initial burst wounded Pvt. Young. 

As the platoon started to obey the order to withdraw, Pvt. Young called out that he could see the enemy emplacement, whereupon he started creeping toward it. Another burst from the machine-gun wounded him the second time. 

Despite the wounds, he continued his heroic advance, attracting enemy fire and answering with rifle fire. When he was close enough to his objective, he began throwing hand-grenades, and while doing so was hit again and killed. 

Pvt. Young's bold action in closing with this Japanese pillbox and thus diverting its fire, permitted his platoon to disengage itself, without loss, and was responsible for several enemy casualties.

His grave is at McPherson Cemetery in Clyde Ohio.

The renowned Broadway songwriter Frank Loesser, best know for Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, wrote The Ballad of Rodger Young in 1945 and it was popular in its day. The most well known version was recorded by Burl Ives.

Robert A Heinlein's classic sci-fi novel Starship Troopers has a prominently featured troop transport named TFCT Rodger Young and also makes mention of Loesser's ballad about Young.

Thank you Rodger for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Rodger.

Last year on this date I profiled James Hagler, 2nd Infantry Division. You can read about James here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

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WW2 Fallen - Donald Hansen, 7th Infantry Division

T/Sgt. Donald Hansen was killed on the final day of the Battle of Kwajalein.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63967657/donald-gordon-hansen
http://sciencepole.com/battle-of-kwajalein/ 

Donald Gordon Hansen never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 27, 1918 in Montana. His parents Hans and Marie were born in Denmark and Norway, respectively. They had three other children, one girl and two boys. They moved to California in the 1920's. Donald completed three years of high school.

Donald joined the California National Guard in 1937 and became part of the regular army on March 3, 1941. He was 6'3" but weighed only 154 pounds. He was a tech sergeant in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

The 184th IR joined the 7th ID in mid-1943. Along with the 4th Marine Division, the 7th Infantry Division landed on Kwajalein Atoll on January 31, 1944, the next stop on the planned island hopping to Japan.

Sgt. Hansen died on February 3, 1944, the fourth and final day of the battle, due to enemy fire. The 7th ID lost 176 men KIA in taking Kwajalein, relatively light casualties compared to what would happen later at Leyte and Okinawa.

His grave is at Chico Cemetery in Chico, California.

Thank you Donald for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Donald.

Last year on this date I profiled Keith Garvie, killed while fighting the Japanese in Alaska. You can read about Keith here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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WW2 Fallen - Distinguished Flying Cross hero and B-17 pilot Clarence Aaberg

Distinguished Flying Cross hero Lt. Clarence Aaberg was a B-17 pilot in the 447th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47104673/clarence-arnold-aaberg 

Clarence A. Aaberg never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom and his nine crew mates.

He was born on April 26, 1918 in North Dakota. His parents Carl and Anna were both born in Minnesota. Three of his grandparents were from Norway. His father worked as a farmer. Clarence had one older half-brother, one older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. By 1940 Clarence had completed four years of high school and worked as farm laborer while living at home.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on November 18, 1941, after attending one year of college. Clarence became a 2nd lieutenant and B-17 pilot in the 711th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group. The 447th BG began operating from Rattlesden, England in November 1943. Lt. Aaberg joined the 711th BS as a replacement. 

The mission to bomb an aircraft plant at Regensburg, Germany on February 25, 1944 was his third mission. Lt. Aaberg was piloting the B-17 named Rosemary III. Ten minutes after dropping its bombs, the #3 engine stopped working, perhaps from prior flak damage. Lt. Aaberg was able to fly back to the English Channel on three engines, but flak on the French coast knocked out two more engines. Lt. Aaberg flew over the channel on one engine, losing altitude all the way. Once he reached the English coast he ordered all his men to jump out. All of them landed safely. When Lt. Aaberg jumped as the last one onboard, his plane was too low and his chute did not have time to open and he was killed as a result.

Lt. Aaberg was posthumously award the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

(See comments below for additional information provided by readers. Also here is the link to a Facebook page Honoring Clarence Aaberg)

His grave is at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, England. His older brother lived to be 101 years old.

Thank you Clarence for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Clarence.

Last year on this date I profiled Charles Hedrick, USS Jacob Jones. You can read about Charles here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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WW2 Battle of the Bulge Fallen- Harold Stephens, 11th Armored Division

Pfc. Harold Stephens fought in the Battle of the Bulge with the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82786595/harold-thomas-stephens
https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/7-8/7-8_24.HTM 

Harold T. Stephens never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 25, 1918 in Pennsylvania. His parents James and Winifred were both born in Wales. His mother died in 1939. His father worked as a fire boss in a coal mine and later as a coal mine foreman. Harold had one older brother, two younger sisters, and two younger brothers. His older brother served in the navy during the war. Another brother served in the army. He completed a grammar school level education and worked as a waiter.

He was drafted into the army on November 20,1942. He became a private first class in Company A, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division (nicknamed "Thunderbolt"). The 11th AD arrived in France on December 16, 1944, the day the Germans launched the attack that would become known as the Battle of the Bulge. 

Pfc. Stephens and the rest of the 11th AD were rushed 500 miles east to help repeal the Germans. The 11th ID was tasked with keeping the road open to supply the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne beginning on December 29, 1944. Pfc. Stephens was wounded in action on January 2 and died on January 8, 1945.

His grave is at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Peckville, Pennsylvania. 

Thank you Harold for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.

Last year on this date I profiled Stanley Bennett, 24th Infantry Division. You can read about Stanley here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

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WW2 Fallen - B-24 gunner Raymond Munstermann

S/Sgt. Raymond Munstermann served in the 785th Bombardment Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118663353/raymond-c-munstermann
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/aircraft/Consolidated-B-24.html
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/1427 

Raymond C. Munstermann never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 24, 1918 in Minnesota. His parents Ernest and Mary were also both born in Minnesota. Three of his grandparents were born in Germany. His father worked as a farmer. Raymond had three older brothers, one older sister, one younger brother and three younger sisters. By 1940 Raymond had completed eight years of school and was working on the family farm.

He was drafted into the army on February 27, 1942 and volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He became a staff sergeant and gunner in the 785th Bombardment Squadron, 466th Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-24 Liberators.

On July 28, 1944 the B-24 Liberator Sgt. Munstermann was flying in stalled on takeoff from Attlebridge, England. It crashed and the fuel tanks exploded which in turn set off 2 thousand-pound bombs. The entire crew, including Sgt. Munstermann was killed.

His grave is at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Holloway, Minnesota.

Thank you Raymond for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Raymond.

Last year on this date I profiled James Burnett, 29th Infantry Division. You can read about James here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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WW2 Guadalcanal Fallen - Medal hero John Strandwitz, 1st Marine Division

Lt. John Strandwitz was mortally wounded while fighting a fire caused by Japanese bombing of Henderson Field.
https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/31649038/person/120072943044
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134872465/john-t-strandwitz
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/363173157429935455/

John T. Strandwitz never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 23, 1918 in New Jersey. His parents William and Dorothy were born in Norway and England, respectively. His father owned a sheet metal manufacturing factory. John had one older sister and three older brothers. By 1940 John had completed two years of college.

He enlisted in the US Marines on January 6, 1942 and became a 2nd lieutenant in the HQ Service Battery, 1st Special Weapons Battalion, 1st Marine Division. 

The 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. They set up a perimeter defense to protect Henderson Field. During the latter half of August the Japanese sent daily bombing missions to try to knock out the airfield and eliminate the threat American planes posed to Japanese warships.

On one such attack on August 29, 1942 a Japanese bomb set off a fire in the First Marine ammunition dump. Lt. Strandwitz volunteered to lead a detail to extinguish the fire. He was hit by a fragment of an exploding shell and died of his wounds that day. He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest non-combat Navy decoration for heroism.

His citation reads as follows:

For heroic conduct while attached to the First Special Weapons battalion, First Marine Division, on the occasion of a fire in the area of the First Marine ammunition dump as a direct result of a Japanese bombing raid on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, August 29, 1942.

Volunteering with a detail of nine men, Second Lieutenant Strandwitz proceeded to the burning dump and courageously led his group in beating out the spreading flames, breaking down stacked boxes of ammunition and carrying them to safety. While encouraging his men in the performance of this extremely hazardous task, Second Lieutenant Strandwitz was struck by an exploded shell fragment. 

His personal valor and inspiring leadership in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Thank you John for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

Last year on this date I profiled P-47 pilot Harold Nussman. You can read about Harold here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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WW2 Fallen - William Wheatley, 34th Infantry Division

Pfc. William Wheatley served with the 133rd Infantry Regiment in Tunisia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70649964/william-l.-wheatley
http://www.34thinfantry.com/publications/redbulletin-vol1no13.html 

William L. Wheatley never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 22, 1918 in Tennessee. His parents S.H. and Edith were also both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a pencil mill foreman and later as an oil truck driver. Still later he took up farming. William had one older brother and two younger brothers. By 1940 William had completed four years of high school and was working at a laborer while still living with his parents. He married Mary Juline Turner in April 1941.

He was drafted into the army on June 27, 1942. He became a private first class in the 133rd Infantry Regiment (nicknamed "Ironman"), 34th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Red Bull"). The 34th ID saw combat in French Algeria and Tunisia.

Pfc. Wheatley was killed on April 8, 1943 during the first day of offensive action of the 34th ID. It was attacking across open desert to take Fondouk, Tunisia.

His grave is at Lone Oak Cemetery in Lewisville, Tennessee. The local VFW post was named in his honor. His widow never remarried and died in 2000.

Thank you William for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled Lester Purcell who served in the American Division on Guadalcanal. You can read about Lester here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

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WW2 Fallen - PV-1 Ventura copilot Kevin Ahern

Ensign Kevin Ahern went MIA after the Ventura bomber he was copiloting was shot down near Bougainville in May 1944.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Ventura 

Kevin O. Ahern never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 21, 1918 in New Hampshire. His parents Michael and Amanda were born in New Hampshire and French speaking Canada, respectively. Kevin's paternal grandparents were from Ireland. His father worked as a cotton mill clerk and later as an employment office helper. Kevin had two older sisters and four older brothers. At least one brother also served in the military during WW2. By 1940 Kevin had completed four years of college and was living at home.

He enlisted in the US Navy on June 10, 1942 and became an ensign and bomber pilot in the US Navy Flier Bombing Squadron 148. The unit was formed in August 1943 and was equipped with PV-1 Ventura medium bombers. It was sent to New Guinea in early April 1944.

Ensign Ahern was copiloting his Ventura on a mission to Bougainville on May 3, 1944, when it was hit by enemy fire and crashed into the sea, taking the lives of all five crewmen. His remains were not recovered.

He is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.

Thank you Kevin for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Kevin.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 bombardier Stephen Monson. You can read about Stephen here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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WW2 Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Arlo Olson, 3rd Infantry Division

Captain Arlo Olson earned the Medal of Honor while serving in Italy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7931824/arlo-laverne-olson 

Arlo Laverne Olson never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 20, 1918 in Iowa. His parents Frank and Vera were also both born in Iowa. His father worked as a bank cashier. He moved his family to South Dakota where he was also a bank cashier. Arlo's paternal grandparents were from Sweden. Arlo had one younger sister. By 1940 Arlo had graduated from the University of South Dakota where he participated in ROTC.

Arlo married Myra Boudreaux. They had one daughter.

He enlisted in the army on June 9, 1940. He became a captain in the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. The 3rd Infantry was one of the first US Army units to see action in the war. It helped free French Morocco in late 1942. Captain Olson would also have participated in the invasion of Sicily and Salerno. Things only got tougher when the 3rd Infantry took part in the fighting in Italy. 

On October 13, 1943 the 3rd Infantry attacked across the Volturno River. Once on the other side of the river, the 15th Infantry Regiment went on to take the high ground. His leadership over the next two weeks showed he did not keep to the rear at the company command post. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Captain Olson's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 

On October 13, 1943, when the drive across the Volturno River began, Capt. Olson and his company spearheaded the advance of the regiment through 30 miles of mountainous enemy territory in 13 days. Placing himself at the head of his men, Capt. Olson waded into the chest-deep water of the raging Volturno River and despite pointblank machine-gun fire aimed directly at him made his way to the opposite bank and threw 2 handgrenades into the gun position, killing the crew. When an enemy machinegun 150 yards distant opened fire on his company, Capt. Olson advanced upon the position in a slow, deliberate walk. Although 5 German soldiers threw handgrenades at him from a range of 5 yards, Capt. Olson dispatched them all, picked up a machine pistol and continued toward the enemy. Advancing to within 15 yards of the position he shot it out with the foe, killing 9 and seizing the post. 

Throughout the next 13 days Capt. Olson led combat patrols, acted as company No. 1 scout and maintained unbroken contact with the enemy. 

On October 27, 1943, Capt. Olson conducted a platoon in attack on a strongpoint, crawling to within 25 yards of the enemy and then charging the position. Despite continuous machinegun fire which barely missed him, Capt. Olson made his way to the gun and killed the crew with his pistol. When the men saw their leader make this desperate attack they followed him and overran the position. 

Continuing the advance, Capt. Olson led his company to the next objective at the summit of Monte San Nicola. Although the company to his right was forced to take cover from the furious automatic and small arms fire, which was directed upon him and his men with equal intensity, Capt. Olson waved his company into a skirmish line and despite the fire of a machinegun which singled him out as its sole target, led the assault which drove the enemy away. While making a reconnaissance for defensive positions, Capt. Olson was fatally wounded. Ignoring his severe pain, this intrepid officer completed his reconnaissance, supervised the location of his men in the best defense positions, refused medical aid until all of his men had been cared for, and died as he was being carried down the mountain.

His grave is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. His widow and daughter have since died, but he has living grandchildren and great-grandchildren who never met him.

Thank you Arlo for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Arlo.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 crewman William Hammack. You can read about William here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org