Robert L Olsen

Korean War

Bob Olsen was born in Hamlin, IA, on January 27, 1933, to Ernest and Marie (Rattenborg) Olsen. Bob OlsHe graduated from Audubon High School with the class of 1951. He then worked in an alfalfa mill in Audubon.

On March 5, 1953, Bob was inducted into the US Army at Des Moines. He was then sent to Camp Crowder near Neosho, MO, for basic training. By May 27, 1953, he was sent to Fort Sill, OK, for advanced field artillery training in fire direction techniques.

During August, 1953, Bob and his unit were transferred from Fort Sill to Camp Kilmer, NJ, to prepare for duty in Europe. On August 18, 1953, they left Camp Kilmer to join other units stationed in Europe as a part of our NATO commitment. After World War II, Austria had been divided into occupation zones similar to Germany. The US zone centered around Salzburg. Bob and his unit were assigned to USFA (United States Forces, Austria).

These troops were responsible for re-establishing democratic principles, providing a deterrent to Soviet aggression and providing other security functions. In December, 1953, Bob served as an ammunition handler during “Operation Mudlark” which was a command maneuver to practice and demonstrate the force’s abilities.

Bob remained in Austria for the bulk of his enlistment. He returned to the United States and was discharged as a PFC (private first class) early in 1955. Much of the work done in Austria was part of a process leading to the end of the occupation in August, 1955. At this time, Austria once again became an independent nation.

After his military service, Bob graduated from the American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines. He then began a long career as a CPA in Carroll. On August 10, 1957, Bob was married to Barbara Jensen in Carroll. However, the marriage later ended in divorce. Bob died in Carroll on April 12, 2018, at age 85. His ashes were buried both in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery and the Elba Cemetery outside of Templeton.