Clyde Edward Nelson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Clyde Edward Nelson served in the U. S. Navy during World War II beginning on May 4, 1943. He was assigned to the Marine Corps as a Hospital Corpsman and was sent to the South Pacific for duty. He was honorably discharged from duty on November 9, 1945.
Mr. Nelson’s rank was Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Clyde Nelson was born in Tamarack, Minnesota in June of 1923. He is the son of Albert and Ida Nelson. He graduated from McGregor High School in 1941.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account follows:
“I enlisted in the US Navy on May 4, 1943 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was sent to Farragut, Idaho for basic training. While there, I received training for Hospital Corpsman and graduated from that training. I was then told I was being attached to the Marine Corps to serve as corpsman and was sent to Camp Elliot for further training.
"From there I was sent overseas in the South Pacific Theatre to join with the First Marine Division on the island of Pavuvu, where they were training for their next combat mission. We went through a practice landing on a nearby island and learned the perils of landing on a heavily defended island. Most of the Marines were already veterans of previous combat landings but all of us who were replacements for those lost in those landings needed to practice.
"After completion of these maneuvers, we returned to Pavuvu to await orders and prepare for the planned operation. We were informed that our mission was to capture the small island of Peleliu, which they said we needed for the air strip there.
"The battle began on September 15, 1944. We were told it would be an easy operation and would be over in three days. They were very wrong, it lasted 73 days with heavy casualties and was said to be one of the bloodiest battles of the South Pacific. My training was put to good use, as there were many wounded to care for.
"I was not there very long as I too was wounded in the early part and was taken out to a hospital ship, where I was taken to a Naval hospital on an island near Pavuvu, where I had been before. I was there for a quite a while until the infection I had cleared up, and I was returned to duty.
"By this time, I had been overseas long enough to be eligible for rotation back to the United States. I went by plane over Pearl Harbor and then had to wait until the next available space on either plane or ship to get back. I went by ship and was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Astoria, Oregon where I was on duty until my discharge on November 9, 1945.
"My experience in the Navy and while serving with the Marines was both good and bad.
"The good part was that I met and served with some very nice men who I never would have met any other way. I count that as a plus.
"The bad was being in combat, where I saw and experienced the real hell that war can be. Much of that I would rather forget but can’t.
"The only physical lasting effect for me has been the loss of hearing. The VA has been able to help me with that by making a new ear drum in my left ear when that knowledge and skill became available and furnishing hearing aids for me all these years.
"I am very thankful for their help. I get along very well. I met and married my wonderful wife and we raised three boys and now have grandchildren and great grandchildren. Life is good.”
