News

Marin Oaks grad dies in Iraq

By Valerie Creque Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 1:39 PM PDT

A memorial shrine stands in the office at Novato High School, honoring Novato native Spc. Nicholas P. Olson, 22, who died in Iraq on Sept. 18.

Olson, along with fellow specialists Joseph N. Landry III, 23, of Pensacola, Fla., and Donald E. Valentine III, 21, of Orange Park, Fla., died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit during combat operations in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

The men were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) based in Fort Lewis, Wash.

Olson is survived by his 20-year-old wife Nicole, a former NHS student, and 1-year-old daughter Melody. Olson graduated from Marin Oaks High School in 2003.

Though they didn't keep in touch, NHS Assistant Principal Dan Curtaz - Olson's P.E. teacher during the fallen soldier's freshman year - remembers Olson fondly.

“He was a high-energy kid - in a good way,” Curtaz said.

Olson was a member of the Junior ROTC program.

Curtaz said Olson seemed to have respect for the uniform; it was always neat and clean.

Curtaz informed the teachers about Olson's death in a memo on Sept. 20, the same day Curtaz heard the news; the students were notified over the loudspeaker during regular announcements. A moment of silence was held.

Flags at NHS were flown at half-staff.

For Curtaz, Olson's passing brings the war in Iraq close to home.

“For me, it really makes (the war) real,” Curtaz said. “We lost a member of our NHS family.”

According to Department of Defense records, Olson enlisted on Oct. 20, 2004, in Oakland and reported to Fort Benning, Ga., for initial entry training as an infantryman. Olson's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

A memorial service for all three men is scheduled to take place in Fort Lewis on Oct. 3.

Plans are in motion to bring Olson's body back to Washington state.

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