The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 Ronald Leon Olson, who died in the service of his country on November 24th, 1969 in Quang Duc Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Ronald was 20 years of age. He was from Concord, New Hampshire. Ronald is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 16W, Line 118.
The decorations earned by SP4 Ronald Leon Olson include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
(Below from Fellow Cacti Bob Blackwell)
It was a hot steamy day in Vietnam, just like so many others, but today we were getting resupplied out in the jungle while on a search and destroy mission. That meant mail from home, new stock of C-rations, water, ammo and whatever else we needed. The chopper came in with the supplies and they were unloaded and we went about distributing the new supplies and mail. When we got all the water we needed from the water blivit, the chopper was coming to pick it up. Jack Deeter and Ron Olson were sent to the clearing to load the blivit on the chopper while their buddies were busy with the resupply. However, we didn't know the VC had moved in for an ambush (probably saw the resupply chopper to locate our position). Jack and Ron triggered the ambush and paid the ultimate sacrifice! Had they not done so, it could have ended in tragedy for otheir buddies, but they had removed the element of surprise. Two young American lives lost that day, but the only good thing is that by giving their lives, we quite possibly saved others.
Buried in the Soucook Cemetery in Concord, NH. It is a small community cemetery. He is buried just to the right past the well pump. Concord is located Southern central N.H. To get to the cemetery take I-93 North to exit 15E )Interstate Route 393 (which is marked as the exit for the New HAMPSHIRE International Speedway. Go 3.6 miles to exit 3 (NH Route 106) which is also marked as the exit for the speedway. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto RT 106 N. As soon as you pass over RT 393, 3/10 miles on your left is Autumn Dr. and a sign for Soucook Cemetery. Autumn Drive is .1 mile long with a sign for another cemetery which is .1 miles on your left. Pete Birrow Visit on May 25, 2003 . There are 2 driveways to this cemetery. The first one is grass and leads to the older section. The 2nd is paved from which you will see a hand pump on your left. To the right of the pump is a red oak tree. 3 graves up from the tree is the Olsen Family plot. Ronald's Father is buried there too. (Visit by Pete Birrow 2004)
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