Cpl. John Olson

Street named for Marine Honor pays tribute to fallen Elk Grove Village resident

Author(s):    Sue Ter Maat Daily Herald Staff Writer
Date: June 2, 2005
Page: 5
Section: News

A Chicago street where a fallen Elk Grove Village soldier grew up was recently named in his honor.

Raven Street on Chicago's Northwest Side was given the honorary name of "Cpl. John 'Ollie' Olson" after Marine Cpl. John T. Olson, who was killed in Iraq in February.

The street will still be called Raven Street, but a brown honorary sign will be hung above the green street sign.

"We are honored," said Olson's father, John R. Olson. "Anytime that we can honor our son, we are certainly up for that."

Olson was born in Chicago. He moved to a house on Raven Street when he was 4 years old.

The family relocated to Elk Grove Village when Olson was 14, primarily to send Olson and his younger sister, Courtney, to a suburban high school instead of a public city school, his father said. Olson, 21, graduated from Elk Grove High School in 2001.

He was killed in a truck bombing in Iraq. He served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He saw heavy combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was promoted meritoriously for going above and beyond the call of duty during combat.

Olson graduated boot camp from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego in August 2002 and was deployed to Iraq in January 2003.

Chicago Alderman Brian G. Doherty of the 41st Ward said he has named streets after about six other people in his Northwest Side ward.

A pastor, a ward committeeman and a community volunteer are among the honored, he said.

Olson was nominated by a local school council member at Onahan Elementary School, where Olson attended. Doherty said he had not met the family before the nomination. Olson was selected for his service to his country as a Marine. Also, he's the only known soldier who died in the Iraq conflict and who had lived in the 41st Ward at some time in his life, Doherty said.

Six Chicago soldiers have died in the Iraqi War since it began after Sept. 11, 2001.