Alvar H. Nelson

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Alvar H. Nelson was inducted into the Army in March of 1944.

He was a Technician 4th Grade and a locomotive engineer with the 744th Railway Operating Battalion.

He arrived in France (Normandy) in August of 1944. In France, he transported ammunition, troops, gasoline, foodstuffs, tanks, returning with hospital trains from Cherbourgh to Antwerp, Belgium to assist another RR battalion. Later he hauled trainloads of German POWs and displaced persons.

His last train load was full of disassembled V-2 rockets, all consigned to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, in Maryland. He also participated in military government controlling German railroads.

He returned to the United States in November of 1947. "Paid my own way home from New York City."

He was discharged in September of 1946.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 217.