First Lieutenant Arnold L. Bjorklund

Arnold L. Bjorklund is inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame for Valorous Combat Service. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty during the Italian Campaign in World War II.

Bjorklund joined the Army in Seattle, Washington, 20 February 1941. Following basic and advanced infantry training, Bjorklund was selected for the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduating in July 1942.

While serving as a first lieutenant in the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. On that day, near Alta Villa, Italy, he single-handedly attacked and destroyed two German machine gun emplacements and a mortar position. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on 6 September 1944. Lieutenant Bjorklund continued to lead his platoon and three days later was seriously wounded in battle, with 16 wounds to his feet and right arm. He was sent to a field hospital and then returned to the United States for recovery. He spent eight months recovering at McCaw General Hospital in Walla Walla. Arnold L. Bjorklund was medically discharged from the Army on 6 March 1945.

His Military Awards Include the Medal of Honor, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

In civilian life, Bjorklund had a successful managerial career with the Pacific Resin Company that culminated with him being plant superintendent at the company’s Portland, Oregon, facility.

He died at age 61 and was buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.