Conrad-Olson

CONRAD OLSON

Olson arrived in Vietnam 1968 and was assigned to 1st Platoon. He was on the May 1968 Roster. He presently lives in Independence, WI.

Medals & Awards:

Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Ribbon
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Unit Citations

Bronze Star - Written by: Floyd Turnley

SP4 Conrad Olson, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force. (HQ, 101st Airborne Division, Special Orders Number 123; 7 January 1969)

I had just returned to the company after being hospitalized for several weeks. Olson was the only one from the squad that greeted me.

I learned from Olson and Doc DeSoucy the squad had been in an ambush. Holmes was dead and the others had been medivaced. The next day Olson was gone.

That night we set-up our night positions on top of a hill. I was assigned to the CP and Olson had been sent out to the LP. We had settle down for the night when it happened. Boom, then silence.

Boom, this time it was closer with the sounds of screams and gun fire. Boom, a zapper was coming up the side of the mountain. Boom, it seemed he was heading straight for the CP. Boom, the claymores went off and the booms stopped. The only casualties were the LP.

The next morning I found Olson waiting to be medivaced. His face was completely charred. He looked like a minstrel performer with his blackened face. The satchel charge had landed next to his head and knocked him out. That saved his life.

PHOTOS

Front Row - Davis - Christensen - Ysais - Olson
Back Row - Miller - DeSoucy - Turnley

Conrad Olson - Michael Davis - James Culberson 1968

Conrad Olson - Michael Davis - James Culberson
Wisconsin 2012