Dies In Action After Two Years Overseas

Word reached Herman relatives last Thursday of the death of their son, T/5 Chester Nelson, while in action in France.

Cpl. Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson of Herman, enlisted in the army in February, 1942, trained as a tank mechanic at Fort Knox, Ky. He left for overseas duty in August, 1942, and after serving for a year in Iceland was transferred to England. He entered France on June 10, 1944.

Born April 5, 1912, near Underwood, Ia., he had lived near Herman since 1919. Survivors include the parents; two brothers, Franklin and George of Herman; and two sisters, 2nd Lt. Vera Nelson, Army Nurse in England; and Mildred Nelson of Newport News, Va.

Cpl. Nelson had never had a furlough, and although his parents had tried to contact him at his embarkation point two years ago, they were unable to see him.

Pilot Tribune 28 Sept 1944

Memorial Rites Are set For Nelson

Herman Corporal Died In Motor Accident Near War Front In France

Memorial services will be held at the American Legion hall at Sunday at 3 p.m. for Cpl. Chester Nelson, 32-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson of Herman, whose death in action was recently reported.

The Rev. Clarence Paulsen of Neola, Ia., will officiate, with American Legionnaires assisting with the services.

Cpl. Nelson, the war department has informed his parents, died August 20 in France as the result of head injuries received in a motor accident while on his way to the front lines. He had gone to France from England on June 10, only a few days after the invasion of Europe started.

15 Years at Herman

Born in Iowa April 5, 1912, Nelson came to the Herman vicinity with his parents 15 years ago.

He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Franklin and George of Herman; and three sisters, Lt. Vera Nelson, army nurse now in England, Miss Mildred Nelson of Newport News, Va., and Mrs. Harold Paulsen (Doris) of Herman.

Cpl. Nelsen had not been home since his entry into military service three years ago.

Enterprise 28 Sept 1944

Chester Nelson Is Casualty In France

Makes Supreme Sacrifice For His Country August 20th In France

SERVICE AT HERMAN LEGION HALL SUN.

Chester Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson of Herman, who was in the service of his country in France, died August 20, 1944, as the result of an accident while on his way to the front line of battle.

Deceased was born at Underwood, Iowa, April 5, 1912, and with his parents came to Nebraska in 1929. For years the family has resided on a farm near Herman where they are well known and highly respected.

Chester entered the service on February 10, 1942, and was sent overseas in August of the same year. He served a year in Iceland and was sent to England in August of 1943 and on June 10, 1944, to France where he served in the tank battalion.

Word of the accident and later death reached the bereaved parents on Monday, September 8th. He was buried in France.

Besides the parents, he leaves three sisters, Mrs. Harold Paulsen, Blair; Lt. Vera Nelson, Army Nursing Corps in England; Mildred Nelson, Newport News, Virginia; and two brothers, George and Franklin at home.

Memorial services with Rev. Clarence Paulsen of Neola, Iowa, officiating, and the Dana Choir furnishing the music will be held next Sunday at the Herman Legion Hall. The American Legion will assist.

Chester was never married and before leaving for the army had been his father’s stand-by in the farming operations. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was a young man of exemplary habits and the community sympathizes with the family to their great loss.

Pilot Tribune 14 Sept 1944

Dies In France

T/5 Chester Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson of Herman, was killed in action in France on August 20, according to word received this (Thursday) morning by his parents. He was with a tank division.

Besides the parents, Nelson is survived by two brothers, Franklin and George of Herman; and three sisters, Mrs. Harold Paulsen of Herman, Miss Vera Nelson, a nurse stationed in England; and Miss Mildred Nelson.

Enterprise 5 Oct 1944

Memorial Services For Chester Nelson Held October 1st

A large number of relatives and friends attended the Memorial Services for T/5 Cpl. Chester Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson, who died in France, August 20. The services were in charge of the Charles Jackson Post of the American Legion of Herman. Rev. Clarence Paulsen of Neola, Iowa, former pastor of the Hill Creek Lutheran Church, delivered the sermon and Miss Mildred Romer of Blair sang several solos.

American Battle Monuments Commission The World War II Honor Roll

Chester R. Nelson

Technician 5th Class, U.S. Army

17040689

759th Tank Battalion

Entered the Service from: Nebraska

Died: August 20, 1944

Buried at : Plot E Row 16 Grave 10, Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France

Chester R. Nelson, Tech 5, U.S. Army

Chester Nelson was born in Underwood, Iowa on April 5, 1912, and moved with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson, to Nebraska in 1929, living on a farm near Herman. He entered the service on February 10, 1942 and was sent overseas the same year. He served in Iceland for a year, then to England in August of 1943, and on June 10, 1944, to France where he served in the 759th Tank Battalion as a mechanic. He died on August 20, 1944 of head injuries received in a motor accident while on his way to the front lines. He is buried at Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France.

Survivors at the time of his death were his parents, two brothers, Franklin and George of Herman, and three sisters; Mrs. Harold Paulsen (Dora), Lt. Vera Nelson, a nurse stationed in England, and Miss Mildred Nelson. A memorial service was held for Chester on October 1st, 1944 at the American Legion Hall in Herman.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~