William De Witt Nelson
Specialist Four
HHC, 2ND BN, 7TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Long Beach, California
March 25, 1945 to November 06, 1968
WILLIAM D NELSON is on the Wall at Panel W39, Line 28

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29 May 2006

Watch over us, good friend Dee. Sleep well in the hands of God. May Eternity reunite us all.

With respect and deep admiration, we salute you.

The Pyramids:
Skip, Steve, Ron, Willie, Tom, and your friend Rod

From a friend.
rbarken1@tampabay.rr.com


 
01 Jul 2006

Garry Owen! Rest in peace. You are always remembered by your brothers. God bless and thank you.

From a grateful citizen and friend of Lt. Grant Moore 5/7,
Vanessa Havener
vanessa_littledove@yahoo.com


 
The President of the United States
takes pride in presenting the

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

posthumously to

WILLIAM DE WITT NELSON
Specialist Four
Army of the United States

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Nelson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 November 1968 as a medic on a search and clear operations near Landing Zone Billie. His company made contact with a large well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and during the initial barrage, was pinned down by the intense enemy fire and sustained heavy casualties. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Nelson ran across the open terrain to his injured comrades, treated their wounds, and carried them to an ambulance helicopter. Returning to the battle, he began to lay down an accurate volley of fire on the Communists' positions. During a brief lull in the fighting, he secured vital medical supplies and as the enemy renewed their attack, again moved unhesitatingly through the bullet-riddled area in response to a call for a medic. Seeing the company commander lying near a hostile bunker, Specialist Nelson placed himself between the fortification and the officer. Although wounded severely in the leg, he rapidly discharged an intense volume of fire as a fellow medic feverishly treated the injured commander. While Specialist Nelson was carrying the officer to the rear, a rocket landed inches from him, instantly taking his life. Specialist Four Nelson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Delta Company, 2/7th Cavalry, lost three men at LZ Billie on 06 Nov 1968:
  • MAJ Marvin I. Siders, Macy, IN (Dist Svc Cross)
  • SP4 Larry R. Bellamy, Jacksonville, FL
  • SP4 William D. Nelson, Long Beach, CA, medic HHC w/ D/2/7 (Dist Svc Cross)

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