Norman G. Nelson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
Norman G. Nelson served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from January 1944 until June 1946. He attended boot camp in San Diego and was assigned to the carrier U.S.S. Ranger (CV-4), which was bound for Pearl Harbor. He was seventeen years old and too young to be in combat, so he was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Fleet Marine Force Pacific (FMFPAC), Military Police Company. He was stationed at Camp Catlin, Hawaii, and at the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor, where he did guard duty. He attended Honolulu Police School. His rank was Corporal.
Mr. Nelson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 21, 192_, the son of Norman G. and Helen Nelson. In January of 1944, he enlisted with the Marines.
Source: Veterans' Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran account (see below)
NORMAN NELSON U.S. Marine Corps 1944-1946
WWII Veteran I dropped out of high school in my junior year Jan 1944 to enlist in the USMC. Boot camp San Diego then shipped to Pearl Harbor. On the carrier Ranger with 1,000 Marines. While awaiting for other duty I was told being 17 yrs I was too young for combat so I was assigned to HDQ SER BN. EMF PAC A [Headquarters and Service Battalion, Fleet Marine Force Pacific] MP.CO. At Camp Catlin, a Navy radar base where I did guard duty and also at the Navy Yard. I also did patrol duty after attending Honolulu Police School.
After the bombing of Japan the war ended. We were discharged June 1946.
