World War II Honoree

Robert L. 'Bob' Nelson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Maplewood, New Jersey

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

LEFT COLLEGE AND ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE. ASSIGNED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER TO THE 10TH LIGHT DIVISION (PACK, ALPINE) AND TRAINED AT CAMP HALE AT PANDO, COLORADO. APPLIED FOR AND WAS ACCEPTED FOR OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL. UPON GRADUATION, WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT. HIS DIVISION STAGED AT CAMP PATRICK HENRY AT ORIANA, VIRGINIA ON DECEMBER 27, 1944 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE HAMPTON ROADS PORT OF EMBARKATION ON JANUARY 6, 1945 AND ARRIVED IN ITALY ABOUT JANUARY 18, 1945. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER IN ITALY WITH THE 10TH MOUNTAIN 'MOUNTAINEERS' DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTH APENNINES AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF SECOND LIEUTENANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.