Boyd Bailey Nelson
| Era | WWII |
|---|---|
| Branch | U.S. Marine Corps |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Military Decorations | Purple Heart |
| Wall | BB |
| Wall Side | 3 |
| Row | 1 |
| Plaque Number | 13 |
MEDALS-RIBBONS: Purple Heart w/Gold Star, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, World War I Victory
PFC. Boyd Bailey Nelson, Son of Mr. & Mrs. Engvold Nelson, was born at Garden City, Iowa March 6, 1921, and was baptized by Rev. J.N. Sandven at Zion Lutheran church. He later moved to a farm near Klemme, and at the age of 14 joined the Methodist church there. In 1938 he returned to Garden City & graduated from the Radcliffe high school in 1939. He was a member of the CCC's for two years at Clarion.
Boyd enlisted in the U.S. Marines Sept. 6, 1941, and was stationed at San Diego Marine Corps Base & Camp Elliott. He went overseas Jan. 6, 1942 with the 2nd Division and spent eight months in the Samoa Islands. He first saw action at Guadalcanal and was wounded there on Jan. 13, 1943, and received the Purple Heart.
While in the hospital he wrote to his folks at home: "Do not worry over me. God is with me. I am confident His will is that my life be spared this time and that I shall get well." Then some months were spent at New Hebrides, New Caledonia and New Zealand. He had several attacks of malaria. He participated in a second campaign at Tarawa in November, 1943, after which he had a month's furlough at home. Then he was transferred to the 5th Division and stationed at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif. He went overseas the second time in Sept., 1944 and was stationed in Hawaii. He then entered his third campaign at Iwo Jima, and was killed there on March 11, 1945. His parents recall an incident from his furlough that brings them and the rest of the family circle comfort in this time of sorrow. About the first thing he said after greeting his mother on his arrival home was, "Mother, many of the boys in my regiment accepted Christ as their Savior, and so did I." Besides his parents, he was survived by one sister, Mrs. J.A. Bowden of Ojai, Calif.; two brothers, Truman of Garden City and Willard, who is with the U.S. Army in France; three nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Edna, and a brother, Edison.
Boyd now rests at his Birthplace.
Your San Diego Family Remembers You
Plaque Wall Map
