World War II Honoree

Roland E. Nelson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Windham, Montana

Honored By

Donna J. Nelson Robison, Bonita, Joyce & Roberta

Relationship

Wife & Daughters

ASSIGNED TO THE 60TH COASTAL ARTILLERY BATTALION ON CORREGIDOR. SERVED AS A DRIVER AND MECHANIC. CAPTURED MAY 6, 1942 BY THE JAPANESE AND HELD CAPTIVE AS A POW FOR 41 MONTHS. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF THE JAPANESE ‘SUN TREATMENT’ FOR ALL PRISONERS, HE WAS SHIPPED ACROSS THE MANILA BAY TO MANILA, PHILIPPINES AND THEN BY TRAIN TO THE CABANATUAN PRISON CAMP. EVENTUALLY SHIPPED TO JAPAN ON A ‘HELL SHIP’ AND INTERNED AT THE SENDAI NUMBER 8 PRISON CAMP, KOCHI, JAPAN. HE WAS USED AS A SLAVE LABORER UNTIL HIS LIBERATION IN SEPTEMBER 1945. HIS AWARDS INCLUDE THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS SUSTAINED IN THE CORREGIDOR BATTLE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND A RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER BADGE.