Corporal
United States Army
William Edward Olson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Olsen, was born and raised in Davenport.
William graduated from Holy Family School and Saint Ambrose Academy (Class of 1948). While at Saint Ambrose Academy, William was a cheerleader for the schools football team.
He loved the outdoors so much that he spent many hours hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Then in his spare time he would work on his hobby, racing homing pigeons. And of course how can one forget his faithful companion, his dog Bingo. True friends, Bingo never left William’s side. As a kid, William had a pony and would let the neighborhood kids the ride the pony.
During the months prior to his entering the service in late November 1950, William worked for an auto supply shop in downtown Davenport.
After five months of training he was sent to Japan, arriving early May 1951. He was in Japan for only a couple of hours when he received his orders for Korea. After five days of “hill” training in Korea, he was sent to the front lines. In August 1951 he was promoted to Corporal and became a radioman. He died during his second firefight in Korea, the battle at “Heartbreak Ridge.”
William second from the left.
(Photo courtesy Jenny Caffery)
William was survived by his parents.
Corporal William Edward Olsen, United States Army, was Killed-In-Action on 21 September 1952. He is buried in Davenport’s Holy Family Cemetery. Among his awards and decorations is the Purple Heart.
Source of Information:
1. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 16 October 1951, page 5.
2. Davenport Democrat and Times, 6 October 1951, page 10.
3. Davenport Democrat and Times, 2 February 1952, page 10.
4. Davenport Democrat and Times, 15 February 1952, page 14.
5. American Battle Monument Commission.
6. National Archives, United States Military Personnel Who Died From Hostile Action (Including Missing and Captured) In The Korean War, 1950-1957 for the State of Iowa.
7. e-Mail from Jenny Caffery on 3 March 2004. Jenny is William’s cousin.
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