Arnold Maurice Lien was born March 19, 1920, at Centerville, Clay County, South Dakota, the youngest son of Andrew and Martha Lien. He attended country school until his family moved to town and then he continued his education in Centerville.

Before he entered the service, Arnold worked in carpentry with his father and then did government construction work at Hastings, Nebraska.

On March 19, 1943, Arnold Lien entered active service at Fort Crook, Nebraska. He was trained at Camp Polk, Louisiana, and went overseas to the European theater on June 1, 1944. Private Lien saw continuous service as a member of the 709^th Tank Battalion and was involved in major engagements in France and Germany.

Private Arnold Lien was killed in action on November 30, 1944, in Germany. He was buried at Plot D, Row 7, Grave 15. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, Fallen Sons State Coordinator, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by an application for a SD veteran’s bonus payment and by the Centerville Journal issues 12/21/44 and 12/28/44.