Hjalmar “Okie” Olkonen

ASN: 36413517

Hjalmar A. Olkonen also known as “Okie” hailed from Ironwood, Michigan. Born September 26, 1916, at 26 years old he enlisted in the United States Army December 7, 1942 in Marquette, Michigan. His draft registration card reports an address of 251 E. Houk Street, Ironwood, Michigan. The name of a person who would always know his address was of course his mother, Mrs. Fannie Olkonen. “Okie” as he was known by his fellow soldiers, was described as 5’8”, 150 pounds, light complexion, blonde hair, and blue eyes. He served as an anti-tank gunner and gun crewman light artillery for A-Battery,” 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division.

PFC Olkonen traveled with the battalion to North Africa in May, 1943 and participated in major campaigns until the end of the war. Company Morning Reports (CMR) were produced every morning by the individual Army units to record personnel matters. His name first appears in a January 13, 1944, CMR returning from furlough to duty while stationed at Camp Ballyscuillion, Northern Ireland. Previously, the battalion was stationed in North Africa until its first combat mission near Naples, Italy in September, 1943. After the Normandy campaign the battalion returned to Papillon Hall in Market Harborough, England on July 14, 1944.

PFC Olkonen returned to duty from furlough in Manchester, England in a July 24, 1944, CMR report. The Battalion trained at Papillon Hall for several months until gliding into Holland on September 18, 1944, from the Barkston Heath Airdome for combat in Operation Holland.

Company Morning Reports

Following the “Battle of the Bulge” and combat near Honsfeld, Belgium PFC Olkonen was promoted to Private First Class on February 23, 1945. The battery was now stationed at Camp Suippes, France, arriving there just the day before. Several months later when hostilities ceased PFC Olkonen was reported “from duty to absent sick,” to the 241st General Hospital APO 513 at 0900 in the June 11, 1945, CMR. No other details were given. He does not appear again in the morning reports.

Shortly after PFC Olkonen was reported from duty to absent sick/General Hospital, the 319th relocated to a new station on June 16, 1945 at Epinal, France. On June 20, 1945, a group A-Battery photograph was taken in Epinal, France but PFC Olkonen does not appear in the photo. Presumably, he was still in the hospital or not yet rejoined the battery now 185 miles away from their prior location.  

PFC Olkonen was not assigned to occupational duties in Berlin, Germany. His Adjusted Service Rating (ASR) score was over 85 and considered a “high point” soldier eligible for an early return home. The U.S. Army used the ASR system to determine when soldiers were eligible for discharge. There is no record of him transferring to the 681st like the rest of the “high point” 319th soldiers, a rather unpopular yet procedural move to transport the high point soldiers stateside as early as possible. That first group of “high point” soldiers arrived in Boston on September 14, 1945. Other records revealed PFC Olkonen was at sea traveling on the SS William A. Graham, November 13, 1945, and due in New York City shortly.   

PFC Olkonen’s sister, Vivian Synkelma of Ironwood, Michigan, provided his obituary and several photos. (see below) A photograph of five soldiers posing in front of the A-Battery barracks at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. PFC Olkonen is standing to the far left, the other soldiers were not identified. And a group photo of the A-Battery men having dinner in Hurth, Germany, taken April 16, 1945.   

Vivian also provided a more recent photograph (see below) of her brother attending the 82nd Airborne reunion (1967) in Chicago. His sister noted on the back of the photograph (see below) he was alone among couples, as he had never married. Seated left to right fellow A-Battery veterans John (Olivia) Giardin, Charles (Leona) Grigus, Bart (Peg) Plassa and Hjalmar “Okie” Olkonen.

Vivian wrote a letter stating that our conversation “brought back memories of her brother” and she was glad that he passed peacefully, in his bed, although it was hard to take at the time. She also indicated there were other photographs but was surprised how few service related pictures he had. Vivian wrote, “I have my brother’s book all about the 82nd Airborne. A chapter of all of the battles and where they took place – Normandy – Sicily, etc….did you end up with one?… a large maroon colored one and has many pictures, quite a keepsake.”  

For his service PFC Olkonen was awarded 6 Bronze Battle Stars, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, the Belgian Fourragere, Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Victory Ribbon and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon. After the war Okie returned to Ironwood, Michigan, worked at the Penokee Mine and a Sears Automotive Department Store. He never married and lived in the area for the rest of his life.

Hjalmar Alexander Olkonen, 81, died May 15, 1998, at his home.

God bless this hero.