134th Infantry Regiment Website
"All Hell Can't Stop Us"
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134th Infantry Regiment Website"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
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Halbert Edward Olson, son of Thorvald and Anetta (Broughton) Olson, was born April 3, 1912 in Grand Meadows, Minnesota. He married Agnes Lillian Peterson October 24, 1934 and the couple had 5 sons, Keith, Truman, Frances, Peter, and David. He registered for the draft October 16, 1940. At that time he was working at Farmers Grain Company in Grand Meadows. He was inducted into the Army in January 1944, joined Company A, 134th Infantry Regiment from the 38th Replacement Battalion January 21, 1945, and was promoted to Private First Class February 14, 1945. Pfc Halbert E Olson was killed in action February 26, 1945 at Hilfarth, Germany and was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the battle in which he died. He is buried at Bear Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, Mower County, Minnesota.
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Distinguished Service Cross |
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Halbert E. Olson (ASN: 37585303), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 February 1945, in Germany. Private Olson, intending to throw a grenade in a cellar, pulled the pin, but as he commenced hurling the missile, it became entangled in his clothing, the striker hitting the primer. Instantly realizing the terrible danger to everyone near him, he plunged several paces forward and curled his body over the grenade so that he absorbed all its fragmentation and no one else was injured. He gave his life for his fellow soldiers. Private First Class Olson's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Entered military service from Minnesota. General Orders No. 117, Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, 1945 |
