World War II Honoree

Dalbert Coy Nelson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

O'Neill, Nebraska

Honored By

ViDal Butler and Vaneta Kerns

Relationship

Daughters

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY ON JANUARY 23, 1942. BASIC TRAINING WAS TAKEN AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY. HE WAS THEN SENT TO HONOLULU, HAWAII, WHERE HE WAS TRAINED AS A TANK COMMANDER IN LIGHT TANKS AND LATER IN MEDIUM TANKS. HE WAS IN THE 762ND TANK BATTALION, COMPANY B. HE FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF SAIPAN FROM JUNE 16 TO JULY 6, 1944, WHEN HE WAS WOUNDED. RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN MARCH, 1945. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE STAR ATTACHMENT, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON AND EXPERT BADGE WITH RIFLE BAR.