World War II Honoree

Bruce Ray Nilsson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

American Fork, Utah

Honored By

Darrin Nilsson

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN THE U.S. NAVY FROM 1941 TO 1945. DURING WWII HE SERVED ABOARD THE USS BARRIER, AN ADMIRABLE-CLASS MINESWEEPER, IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. THE USS BARRIER WAS CALLED INTO ATTU AFTER U.S. GAINED CONTROL OF THE ISLAND TO CLEAN OUT MINES LEFT BEHIND BY THE JAPANESE. THE BATTLE OF ATTU WAS THE ONLY LAND BATTLE IN WHICH JAPANESE AND AMERICAN FORCES FOUGHT IN ARCTIC CONDITIONS. SERVED 20 YEARS IN THE NAVY SEABEES RETIRING WITH HONOR FROM THE NAVAL RESERVES WITH RANK OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICER.