Arlo L . Olson Arlo L . Olson ( April 20 , 1918 – October 28 , 1943 ) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . Olson ' s family moved to South Dakota 10 years after he was born and he attended school in Toronto , South Dakota . He is also an Eagle Scout and one of nine Eagle Scouts who also were awarded the Medal of Honor . Olson attended the University of South Dakota from 1936 to 1940 , and was commissioned through Army ROTC following graduation . By October 13 , 1943 was serving as a captain in the 15th Infantry Regiment , 3rd Infantry Division . On that day and the following two weeks , he showed conspicuous leadership during the push across the Volturno River in Italy . Olson repeatedly led his men in attacks against German forces , personally capturing several enemy positions , until he was mortally wounded during a reconnaissance patrol . He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later , on August 31 , 1944 . Olson , aged 25 at his death , was buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery , Minneapolis , Minnesota . Medal of Honor citation . Captain Olson ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty . On October 13 , 1943 , when the drive across the Volturno River began , Capt . Olson and his company spearheaded the advance of the regiment through 30 miles of mountainous enemy territory in 13 days . Placing himself at the head of his men , Capt . Olson waded into the chest - deep water of the raging Volturno River and despite pointblank machine - gun fire aimed directly at him made his way to the opposite bank and threw 2 handgrenades into the gun position , killing the crew . When an enemy machinegun 150 yards distant opened fire on his company , Capt . Olson advanced upon the position in a slow , deliberate walk . Although 5 German soldiers threw handgrenades at him from a range of 5 yards , Capt . Olson dispatched them all , picked up a machine pistol and continued toward the enemy . Advancing to within 15 yards of the position he shot it out with the foe , killing 9 and seizing the post . Throughout the next 13 days Capt . Olson led combat patrols , acted as company No . 1 scout and maintained unbroken contact with the enemy . On October 27 , 1943 , Capt . Olson conducted a platoon in attack on a strongpoint , crawling to within 25 yards of the enemy and then charging the position . Despite continuous machinegun fire which barely missed him , Capt . Olson made his way to the gun and killed the crew with his pistol . When the men saw their leader make this desperate attack they followed him and overran the position . Continuing the advance , Capt . Olson led his company to the next objective at the summit of Monte San Nicola . Although the company to his right was forced to take cover from the furious automatic and small arms fire , which was directed upon him and his men with equal intensity , Capt . Olson waved his company into a skirmish line and despite the fire of a machinegun which singled him out as its sole target led the assault which drove the enemy away . While making a reconnaissance for defensive positions , Capt . Olson was fatally wounded . Ignoring his severe pain , this intrepid officer completed his reconnaissance , supervised the location of his men in the best defense positions , refused medical aid until all of his men had been cared for , and died as he was being carried down the mountain .