William Lloyd Nelson

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Sergeant William Lloyd Nelson (22 February 1918 - 25 April 1943) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War II.

William Lloyd Nelson was born on 22 February 1918 in Dover, DE. He enlisted in the Army on 9 January 1941 at Middletown, DE, and was trained at Fort Dix, NJ. On 24 April 1943, he was serving as a Sergeant with the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. At Djebel Dardys, Northwest of Sedjenane, Tunisia, that day, his acts of heroism earned him the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He died of his wounds the following day.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.

Place and date: At Djebel Dardys, Northwest of Sedjenane, Tunisia, 24 April 1943.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict. On the morning of 24 April 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 handgrenade 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.

Honors

The U.S. Army- Nelson Barracks in Neu-Ulm, Germany, was named in honor of Sgt. Nelson.

Death and Burial

Sergeant William Lloyd Nelson died on 25 April 1943 of wounds received in action the previous day. He is buried at Silverbrook Cemetery in Wilmington, New Castle County, DE.