At daybreak on January 31, the German forces launched an intense assault on the company's position and Olson was severely wounded. Knowing that his machine gun was Company B's only effective defense, he refused evacuation and continued to fire on the attacking soldiers for an hour and a half until succumbing to his wounds. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on January 24, 1945.
At dawn on January 31, the German forces launched a fierce attack on the company's position, resulting in Olson being severely injured. Recognizing that his machine gun was Company B's only viable defense, he declined evacuation and continued to fire at the advancing soldiers for an hour and a half before succumbing to his wounds. As a result, he received the Medal of Honor a year later, on January 24, 1945.