Arthur Henry Carlson was born on March 12, 1923, in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. He was the son of Henry Carl Carlson. He enlisted in the service on December 14, 1942. He served in the 765th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-24J #42-52025 nicknamed “Arsenic and Lace” during World War II.

On December 17, 1944, the ''Arsenic and Lace'' took off from Torretta Airfield in Italy as part of a 15th Air Force mission to bomb the Odertal synthetic oil refinery in German-occupied Silesia. The formation was heavily engaged by German fighters near the target. At about 26,000 feet, Arsenic and Lace was hit and exploded in the air. Parts of the Liberator came down on the outskirts of Olomouc, in today’s Czech Republic, with wreckage falling by the Neředín Cemetery. Five of the crew of Arsenic and Lace were killed in action, while the rest were taken prisoner.

2Lt Carlson succumbed to anoxia while attempting to free the upper turret gunner from his position. He is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

Source of information: 461st.org, www.americanairmuseum.com