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Wheeling VFW Vice Commander Chuck Ryan addresses the crowd during a military banner dedication on Friday outside of Ritchie Elementary School in South Wheeling in honor of Lance Cpl. Charles Robert “Robbie” Olson, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1970. (Photo by Eric Ayres)
Episode 3129 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how fallen Vietnam Vet Hero Marine Lance Cpl. Charles Robert “Robbie” Olson was honored in his West Virginia home town. The featured story is titled: City Salutes South Wheeling Serviceman Killed in Action in Vietnam. It was submitted by Eric Ayres.
Ayres reported that the city of Wheeling came together to honor the legacy of Lance Cpl. Charles Robert “Robbie” Olson, a brave U.S. Marine who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1970 at the age of 19. A moving ceremony was held outside Ritchie Elementary School, near Olson’s childhood home, where his military banner was rededicated as part of the city’s exceptional Military Banner Program, which now proudly showcases over 250 banners honoring both veterans and active-duty service members.
Olson served courageously with the Combined Action Program in Vietnam and tragically lost his life during a patrol operation. His heroism earned him multiple medals, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. During the ceremony, family members, city officials, veterans, and students reflected on Olson’s sacrifice, remembered his vibrant youth, and celebrated his unwavering love for his country and the Marine Corps.
Dale Olson, his cousin and a decorated Air Force veteran, performed a heartfelt rendition of “Taps,” while a letter Robbie wrote weeks before his death and the poem “Immortality” were read aloud — both powerful reminders of his enduring spirit.
The Military Banner Program in Wheeling, coordinated by dedicated volunteers like John Larch, continues to be a profound tribute to the community’s heroes. It offers a public and permanent way to ensure veterans like Robbie Olson are never forgotten. As Wheeling VFW Vice Commander Chuck Ryan noted, these banners and ceremonies not only honor those who served but also recognize the families who bore the burden of their loss.
Wheeling’s commitment to its veterans through this banner program is nothing short of remarkable. To learn more or to sponsor a banner, visit www.troopbanners.com/wheeling
Listen to Episode 3129 and discover more about how fallen Vietnam Vet Hero Marine Lance Cpl. Charles Robert “Robbie” Olson was honored in his West Virginia home town.
