Olin S. Irey was born in 1916 to George and Ester Irey  who lived in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Although born in Phoenixville, he lived most of his life in Spring City. Olin was the second born of three children: Katherine, Olin, and Marie. His father died when he was young, and the family lived with relatives in Royersford.

Olin attended Spring City schools including the Spring City High School graduating with the class of 1936.  The school was located on New Street, (as of 2009 the building is named Vincent Heights – a home for Senior Citizens.)

After graduation, Olin found employment with the Jones Motor Company, a dealership which sold Packards and Nashes on North Church Street.  He later worked for the Cann and Saul Steel Company at Bridge and Main Streets.

Olin married May Ruth Overdorf of Pottstown on July 23, 1938.   They resided at 235 Yost Ave in Spring City, and later moved to 423 South Main Street.  The couple had three children: Barry, Diane, and Dennis.

Olin was inducted into the Army, entering on January 5, 1944.  He received training at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Fort McClellan, Alabama, Forge George G. Meade, Maryland, and Camp Kilmer, New York.

Olin was attached to the Headquarters Company, 2^nd Battalion, 104^th “Timberwolf” Infantry Division.  His division shipped overseas to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in late August, landing in France beginning on September 7^th. 

‘The Timberwolves" entered combat in October in the Wuestwezel, Belgium area, relieving the British 49^th Division ad advanced into Germany slowly gaining ground against fierce resistance.

In early December, the Germans staged a massive surprise attack driving a spearhead through our lines attempting to split and conquer the Allied Forces.  This battle became known as the Battle of the Bulge after the huge bulge it created in our front lines.  Irey’s division successfully defended their sector in the Duren – Merken area in very heavy combat.   

Corporal Olin S. Irey was Killed In Action on January 30, 1945, in Guisengen, Germany.  He died from being struck by grenade fragments to the back of his head.

His wife, May, received the government telegram on Monday February 12th.

Olin was buried in a military cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg.   After the war, his remains were returned for burial in his home country on board the Army Transport Lawrence Victory.  This was the same ‘funeral ship’ which also transported the remains of heroes Charles Garvine from Coatesville, and Edward Stott of Phoenixville.

Services were held on Saturday September 4, 1949 a funeral home in Parkersford, with interment at the Fernwood Cemetery at 133 Old Mill Road in Royersford.  The Reverend C. F. Salkeld, pastor of the Spring City Methodist Church officiated.

He was survived by his wife, May, and their three children: Barry 8 years old, Diane 7, and Dennis, 5 at the time of his burial.