Central ND News

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, alongside U.S. Representative Julie Fedorchak, have introduced legislation in both the Senate and House to rename the Casselton post office in honor of Commander Delbert Austin Olson. The proposed designation for the facility at 840 Front Street is the Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office.

Commander Olson had a distinguished military career, serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his time in Vietnam, he was part of Observation Squadron 67, which conducted missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to monitor enemy activities. Tragically, on January 11, 1968, Olson and his crew were killed when their plane went down. He was later interred at Arlington National Cemetery in 2003.

Throughout his service, Commander Olson received numerous accolades including the Navy Commendation Medal with valor and a Purple Heart. His name is etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C., commemorating his sacrifice.

The newly proposed legislation aims to honor his legacy by renaming the post office after him—a bill that previously passed unanimously in the Senate during the last Congress session.

Senator Cramer expressed pride in supporting this initiative: “I’m honored to join the effort to rename the post office in Casselton after Commander Delbert Austin Olson.” He highlighted that this gesture is a "lasting affirmation of Commander Olson’s indelible legacy."

Senator Hoeven noted that naming the post office is fitting given Olson's lifetime of service: “Commander Olson honorably served our nation... ultimately giving his life in service to our country.”

Representative Fedorchak added her voice: "Commander Delbert Olson was a true North Dakota hero... Renaming the Casselton Post Office in his honor is a small way to show how much we value his sacrifice."