Forrest D. Nelson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Forrest D. Nelson served in World War II in the European Theater. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces beginning on October 30, 1942.
He was assigned to the 96th Troop Carrier Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group, which served in France, the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe; and Rome-Arno, Italy.
His unit carried the 101st Airborne Division during the Normandy Invasion. They carried supplies to General Patton’s 3rd Army, transported troops, and liberated prisoners of war. Mr. Nelson was a Technical Sergeant, an Aerial Engineer, and an Aircraft and Engine mechanic aboard a C-47.
He was discharged on September 22, 1945.
Mr. Nelson was decorated with the: Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with seven bronze battle stars and World War II Victory Medal.
Source: Veteran’s account and original entry on VMH website (below)
“I was a Flight Engineer on a C-47 airplane. After D-Day, on a haul, we did not land. When the green light went on, we pushed freight out the door. The freight had parachutes. We had to get them all out of the plane before the green light went out or we would have to do it again. We always made sure to get it done in time.
“We flew very low, at about 250 feet, so the big guns couldn’t get us, but we did get small arms fire. This one time we took nine hits but were able to get back home ok.
“The seat that I was on before the drop got hit while I was up moving freight. Thank the Lord that no one on our crew was hit. I was in the service for five months and never earned a Purple Heart. That’s one medal that no one wanted to get.”
Original entry on VMH website: Forrest D. Nelson enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 30, 1942. He was a Technical Sergeant, an aerial engineer, and an aircraft and engine mechanic with the 96th Troop Carrier Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group in Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe; Rome-Arno, Italy.
“Took in the 101st Airborne Division paratroopers in the Normandy Invasion. Made many supply trips. Took in the 'American Japs' paratroops to Southern France. Returned to England and France and took in two gliders of airborne troops across the Rhine River. Made many trips bringing gasoline to General Patton and bringing back wounded. Later liberated POWs.”
He was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with seven bronze battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was discharged September 22, 1945.
