[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CORPORAL JOHN T. OLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to U.S. Marine 
Corporal John T. Olson of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Corporal Olson 
was killed by enemy action while conducting combat operations on 21 
February in Nassir Wa Al Salam, Iraq. It was Corporal Olson's third 
tour of duty in Iraq.
  He graduated from boot camp from the San Diego Marine Corps Depot in 
2002 and was deployed to Iraq in January 2003 for his first tour. His 
third tour of duty was with the Alpha Truck Company, Headquarters 
Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
  John Olson was a graduate of the Elk Grove High School, Class of 
2001, graduating six months early. He was a student at Harper Community 
College when 9/11 changed his life, he enlisted shortly afterward and 
was deployed to his first tour in Iraq. At the time of his death, he 
was driving a truck just outside his base when a bomb exploded. He died 
while medics tried to save him.
  Corporal Olson was a young man of 21 when he made the ultimate 
sacrifice in service to his country. Our deepest sympathies go to his 
beloved family--his mother Diana, his father John R, and his sister 
Courtney--as well as to his other family and friends. The entire 
community joins in mourning John's loss.
  We honor the memory of Corporal John T. Olson and the dedication and 
bravery with which he served our Nation and the people of Iraq.

                          ____________________