EUGENE ROBERT OLSON, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class, United States Naval Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as a Hospital Corpsman attached to the Second Battalion, Twenty Sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, March 3, 1945. Cool and courageous, Olson voluntarily left a protected position to assist an adjoining company which was experiencing heavy casualties. Completing his work, he returned to his company and, a few minutes later, advanced beyond his own front lines to attend a wounded man lying in a fire lane. Although bullets pierced his first aid pouch and canteen, he brought the wounded man to the rear of the lines and administered first aid. Again on March 5, he walked into a known fire lane and, braving grenades thrown from a cliff, removed and treated a wounded Marine. When enemy machine-gun fire pinned down his whole platoon shortly thereafter, he moved out ahead of the front lines and treated another wounded marine. By his repeated acts of courage throughout the entire operation, he served as an inspiration to his company. His gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Mr. Olson resided in Minnesota.