Medal of Honor: Arlo L. Olson, World War II, October 13–27, 1943

Name: Arlo L. Olson
Rank: Captain
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 13–27, 1943
Unit: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division (“Rock of the Marne”)
Entered Service At: Toronto, South Dakota
Born: Greenville, Iowa

Summary of Action
As the Allied armies fought their way up the Italian peninsula, the crossing of the Volturno River became a bloody test of will. On October 13, 1943, Captain Arlo Olson—commanding Company B of the 15th Infantry—led his men into the icy, rain-swollen current under direct enemy fire. Chest-deep in the river, he advanced through sheets of bullets, climbed the opposite bank, and hurled grenades into a machine-gun nest, silencing it and killing the crew.
Moments later, another gun opened fire 150 yards away. Olson—utterly calm amid chaos—walked straight toward it. Five German soldiers hurled grenades at him from just a few yards; he killed them all, seized a submachine gun, and kept advancing. At fifteen yards, he charged the position and wiped it out, killing nine more defenders.
For nearly two weeks, Olson led patrols and assaults across the mountains, constantly ahead of his men. On October 27, near Monte San Nicola, he again led a charge that overran entrenched Germans. Moments later, a bullet struck him down. Wounded but still conscious, he completed his reconnaissance, positioned his men for defense, and refused medical care until everyone else was tended to. He died being carried from the mountain—his courage immortalized in the blood-soaked soil of Italy.

Medal of Honor Citation
OLSON, ARLO L.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Crossing of the Volturno River, Italy, 13 October 1943. Entered service at: Toronto, S. Dak. Birth: Greenville, Iowa. G.O. No.: 71, 31 August 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 October 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 27 October 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.