Harvey Sigurd Olson, 81, died on Friday, September 6, 2002 at the Kittson Memorial Nursing Home in Hallock.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 10 at Community Covenant Church in Lake Bronson with Rev. Jim Browning and Rev. Dave Ingraham officiating. Ruth Gustafson was the organist and vocalists were Louise McFarlane and Paul, Carol, Shanna, Jenny and Christy Olson. Musical selections included "In The Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Casketbearers were Harvey's grandchildren. Honorary casketbearers were all those who attended the service. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery in Lake Bronson with military honors accorded by the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315.

Harvey Sigurd Olson was born on December 12, 1920, the son of Herbert and Ida (Hanson) Olson in Lake Bronson. He grew up and attended school in Lake Bronson. In 1941, Harvey enlisted in the United States Army and was a career military man with 22 years of service. He served in World War II and saw action at Utah Beach. He also served in the Korean War. Harvey was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart for wounds received.

On March 6, 1946, he married Arlet Measel in Strandquist. Since his retirement from the service, the couple has resided in Lake Bronson. Harvey was a member of the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post.

Survivors include his wife, Arlet; two daughters, Patti (Rick) Sele and Rita Larson (Bob Anderson), both of Lake Bronson; three sons, Rev. Paul (Carol) of Dora Lake, Curtis (Sandy Stuart) of Lake Bronson and Terry (Sandy) of Warroad; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; one sister, Geraldine (Dennis) Erickson of Thief River Falls; one brother, Lloyd (JulieAnn) of Fallon, Nev.; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Luverne and Ivan.

Citation for award of Silver Star Medal:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Harvey Sigurd Olson (37023123), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Troop A, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), on 6 June 1944, in France. On that date Sergeant Olson with one companion, displaying the highest courage in the face of unknown dangers, became one of the first American Soldiers of the ground forces to land on French soil. He volunteered for the mission of the landing on D-DAY on the Iles De St Marcouf, a strategically placed island commanding the beach where assault was to be made. Sergeant Olson and his companion paddled through heavy surf and mined waters in a small two-man rubber boat to within 100 yards of the island. Sergeant Olson then destroyed his craft by slashing it open, and swam the remaining distance armed only with a knife. Once on the island, which was heavily covered with anti-tank and anti- personnel mines, Sergeant Olson and his companion signaled the assault forces and marked the beach with lights.

Headquarters, VII Corps, General Orders No. 43 (1944)

SGT, TRP A, 4 CAV RCN SQ MECZ WORLD WAR II

SGT, 8 ARMY RANGER CO KOREA

Harvey Olson (1920)