Private Edward Olson was born to Ms. Julia Olson on January 2, 1898 in Vienna (near DeForest) Wisconsin. He was raised on a rural farm until he enlisted in the United States Army. He reported to Camp Funston, Kansas for training and on May 18, 1918 received orders to deploy for overseas service. Traveling through Hoboken, NJ and landing at Le Havre, France. Assigned to the 89th Division, 353 Infantry, Company D, he entered combat on August 5, 1918 moving to the front lines. The St Mihiel offensive began on September 12, and while repulsing the Germans, Pvt Olson was killed in action September 28, 1918. He is buried in the St Mihiel American cemetery in France.
T/Sgt John Grinde was born on February 23, 1911 to Mr and Mrs Peter Grinde of DeForest Wisconsin. Raised on a farm just north of town with two brothers and two sisters. Grinde enlisted at the age of 30 in the United States Army Air Forces in May 1942. While flying with the 44th Bomb Group, 2d Air Division, 8th Air Force as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on a B-24 bomber, the "Lady Luck," was shot down on August 16, 1943 over Routi, Italy. He was buried in the US Military Cemetery, Bari, Italy and re-buried at the Norway Grove Cemetery, DeForest, Wisconsin at the request of the family in December 8, 1949.
Private Edward Olson
T/Sgt John H. Grinde
T/Sgt John H. Grinde's Purple Heart medal certificate
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