Richard Emil Olson Square

Richard Emil Olson Square, located at the intersection of South Street and Old Colony Boulevard, honors a young Hyannis resident who lost his life while serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. The simple stone marker preserves his name near the community where he was born and raised.

Richard Emil Olson was born in Hyannis on September 24, 1945, to Emil and Alice Olson. He graduated from Barnstable High School in 1964, where he participated in the dramatic club, speech festivals, debate and the school newspaper. He received gold medals for public speaking during his junior and senior years.

Olson enlisted in the Army on October 12, 1964, and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. During his first tour in Vietnam, he served as a Sky Trooper with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). His communication skills led to his appointment as editor of The Cavalier, an Army newspaper in Saigon. He also worked as a correspondent and photographer for Stars and Stripes and Army Times.

After recovering from malaria, Olson reenlisted and returned to Vietnam for a second tour in October 1967. He served as a staff sergeant with Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On February 23, 1969, he was killed by hostile small-arms fire in Bình Long Province, South Vietnam. He was 23 years old.

His military decorations included the Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Aircraft Crewman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and two Bronze Star Medals posthumously, including one for heroism.

Olson was buried with military honors in Mosswood Cemetery in Cotuit. His name also appears on Panel 31W, Line 14 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Richard Emil Olson Square ensures that his name and story remain part of the Hyannis community he left behind.