Sioux City Man Decorated
For his 20 months of overseas duty while attached to the famed Second Marine Division, Lt. Harold J. Madsen, MS-V (G), USNR, has been awarded the presidential unit citation ribbon. The ribbon bears a bronze star, indication of service in battle. The presentation was made by Capt. A.H. Dearing, (M.C.) USN, medical officer in command of the United States Naval Hospital, Oakland, California.
Lt. Madsen participated in the fiery campaigns of Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian and as battalion surgeon, saw service in the field. At Tarawa and Saipan, he was attached to a medical company whose members went ashore in the early waves of the invasions to render immediate medical assistance and first aid treatment under fire. He aided in the establishment of a division hospital on Saipan.
The award of the presidential unit citation is indicative of meritorious achievement and distinguished service as displayed by an organized unit.
Lt. Madsen is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Madsen, 915 Nebraska Street. He is a graduate of Rush Medical School, Chicago.
With his wife, he is now living in Oakland, where he is stationed at the United States Naval Hospital.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 25, 1945 (photo included)
