John Henry Nelson
Captain, U.S. Army

John Henry Nelson attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, with the Class of 1943. Upon graduation in June 1943 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He then served in World War II.

In February 1951, Captain John Henry Nelson was serving as Company Commander of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 14-15 February, CPT Nelson's Company was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Majen-ni, South Korea. On the night of 14 February, Company F was assigned the mission of recapturing Hill 325. After three unsuccessful attempts to capture the strongly-defended enemy positions located on strategic high ground, CPT Nelson led his Company in another assault at daybreak. CPT Nelson, ignoring the intense enemy fire, charged the enemy positions firing his weapon and throwing grenades into enemy entrenchments. Inspired by the courageous example of CPT Nelson, the men of Company F dislodged the enemy and drove them off the hill. After seizing the objective, and while still under intense enemy mortar fire, CPT Nelson ran from man to man designating fields of fire and offering words of encouragement. His daring exploits continued to stir his men to their maximum effort until he was killed by a burst of enemy mortar fire. CPT Nelson's courageous actions and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) John Henry Nelson (ASN: 0-974417), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Nelson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Majen-ni, Korea, on the night of 14 - 15 February 1951. On that night, Company F was assigned the mission of recapturing Hill 325. After three unsuccessful attempts to capture the strongly defended enemy positions located on strategic high ground, Captain Nelson personally led his company in another assault at daybreak. Displaying outstanding courage and dogged determination Captain Nelson, heedless of the intense enemy fire and completely disregarding his personal safety, charged the enemy positions firing his weapon and throwing grenades into enemy entrenchments. Inspired by the daring actions and courageous example of Captain Nelson, the men of Company F dislodged the enemy and drove them off the hill. Immediately after seizure of the objective and while still under intense enemy mortar fire, Captain Nelson ran from man to man designating fields of fire and offering words of encouragement. Through his daring exploits he continued to rouse his men to their maximum effort until he was killed by a burst of enemy mortar fire.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 359 (May 27, 1951)