William L. Nelson (Medal of Honor)


 * For the American politician, see William L. Nelson.

Sergeant William Lloyd Nelson, United States Army, earned the Medal of Honor at daybreak of April 24, 1943.

William Lloyd Nelson was born in Delaware, on February 22, 1918. Drafted in January 1941, he trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He served in action with the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.

Medal of Honor citation
His citation read as follows:


 * For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict at Djebel Dardys, northwest of Sedjenane, Tunisia. On the morning of April 24, 1943, Sgt. Nelson led his section of heavy mortars to a forward position where he placed his guns and men. Under intense enemy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, he advanced alone to a chosen observation position from which he directed the laying of a concentrated mortar barrage which successfully halted an initial enemy counterattack. Although mortally wounded in the accomplishment of his mission, and with his duty clearly completed, Sgt. Nelson crawled to a still more advanced observation point and continued to direct the fire of his section. Dying of hand grenade wounds and only 50 yards from the enemy, Sgt. Nelson encouraged his section to continue their fire and by doing so they took a heavy toll of enemy lives. The skill which Sgt. Nelson displayed in this engagement, his courage, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty and heroism resulting in the loss of his life, was a priceless inspiration to our Armed Forces and were in keeping with the highest tradition of the U.S. Army.|William Nelson, United States Army

Nelson is interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

Further Honors
The US Army Barracks in Neu-Ulm, Germany was named after Sgt. Nelson. A liberty ship, the Middletown, Delaware National Guard armory, a housing project at Fort Dix, New Jersey, a recreational center at Fort Lewis, Washington, and VFW Post #3792 were all named in his honor.