CAPT. NELSON DIED JUNE 8, 1944
Jewell Air Officer First Was Reported Lost June 23.
JEWELL—Capt. Robert R. Nelson, 24, was killed in action June 8 of this year in the European area, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Nelson, of Jewell, have been notified. It had been reported June 23, that he was missing in action.
Overseas since June, 1943, Nelson had received three promotions from flight officer to captain. He also had been awarded the air medal and two oak leaf clusters for meritorious achievement in action.
Captain Nelson attended school near Jewell and was graduated from Jewell high school. He also attended William Penn College at Oskaloosa, later going to Richmond, Cal., where he was employed by the Standard Oil company.
In May 1941, he enlisted in the army air corps, and began his training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. He received his wings at Williams Field, Chandler, Ariz., after which he went to Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colo., to specialize in photo reconnaissance.
Besides his parents, Captain Nelson is survived by four brothers and four sisters: Sterling Nelson, Mrs. Clarence Johnson, Mrs. Ray Ringstad and Mrs. Earl Smart, of Jewell; Chester Nelson, of Webster City; Karl Nelson, of Wauneta, Neb.; Howard Nelson of Richmond, Cal.; and Mrs. C. D. Anderson of Saginaw, Mich.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, November 8, 1944
Notes:
Robert R. Nelson was born June 17, 1919, to Charles A. and Marie M. Madsen Nelson. He died June 8, 1944 and is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands Plot: O Row: 3 Grave 2.
Capt. Nelson served with the 14th Photographic Squadron, 7th Reconnaissance Group and was first reported as missing in action June 23, 1944. He was later listed as killed in action in the European area.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Sources:
Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
ancestry.com
World War II Memorial
American Air Museum in Britain
