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yellowwing
03-08-05, 05:11 PM
His Military Funeral has a pic in our Frontline Photos forum. I found a follow up story on this brave Marine.

Elk Grove Village Marine killed on 3rd tour in Iraq
Chicago Sun Times February 23, 2005 (http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-marine23.html)
A Marine who graduated from Elk Grove Village High school was killed in action in Iraq, the Defense Department said Tuesday.

Cpl. John T. Olson, 21, was on his third tour of duty there and was killed Monday in hostile action in the Anbar Province. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Family friend Marla White said Olson was close to his father, mother and 16-year-old sister.

''He wasn't a big guy, but he was a tough little cookie,'' she said. ''And he had the most beautiful smile. He really lit up a room.''

White lives in Elk Grove Village across the street from Olson's parents, John and Diana Olson. The family received word about Olson's death Monday when three Marines came to the door. ''When Diana saw them at the door, she screamed,'' White said. ''She hasn't been able to sleep since yesterday.''

Although the military released no details on the death, U.S. Marines were involved Monday in the second day of an offensive aimed at cracking down on insurgent activity in several troubled cities west of Baghdad.

A letter arrived from Olson on the same day the family was told of his death.

''He was always telling his mother not to worry,'' White said.

''They were such a close-knit family,'' said White. ''They were always together. It's heart-wrenching.''

White said Olson saw his mission in Iraq as a job that had to be done. When he returned home on leave, dressed in his Marine uniform, he was embarrassed when people would come up to him and thank him for his military service.

''He always volunteered for the heavy-duty jobs in Iraq, and he was never afraid,'' she said. ''But after going to Iraq three times, he'd had enough.''

His mother and father were also wary when he recently returned to Iraq.

''The family was feeling very nervous about the third tour,'' White said. ''How many times can you be lucky?''

Semper Fidelis Brother! Where do we get such men and women indeed.

thedrifter
03-08-05, 05:39 PM
Rest In Peace


Ellie