World War II Honoree

Joy A. Nelson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Starbuck, Minnesota

Honored By

Annette Hagopian

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED OCTOBER 11, 1941 AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND AIRPLANE AND ENGINE MECHANIC SCHOOL AT KEESLER FIELD, BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI; 1941-1942. COMPLETED AIRPLANE PROPELLER MECHANICS SCHOOL AT BARKSDALE FIELD, LOUISIANA; 1942. WHILE SERVING IN ARMY AIR CORPS OVERSEAS IN AFRICA AND ITALY, HE WORKED ON THE REPAIR OF AIRPLANE PROPELLERS FOR 984TH AIR ENGINEERING SQUADRON. INVENTED A 'TEST STAND' AND WAS AWARDED THE LEGION OF MERIT FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS CONDUCT. THE STAND MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO BOTH THE SAVING OF VALUABLE OPERATIONAL TIME AND PERSONAL SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT CREW MEMBERS. DISCHARGED JUNE 30, 1945.