Attachment to Chapter 6
WW II stories told by Norman K. Arvidson

The Eugene Nelson Story

Page 1 of 1

I entered service in the Army on February 12, 1942 and moved overseas to England in May of 1944. We were located near the community of Penzance (SW tip of England). I was on guard duty at our base at 4:00 a.m. when they invaded France. A few days later along with the rest of my unit, we boarded a boat, at Plymouth, England, crossing the Channel to waters off the coast of France. There we transferred to a landing craft by climbing down rope ladders and headed into the Normandy beaches. As we landed we could hear the German machine guns and we were soon in action. We were an organization of 200 men on the morning of our landing on the beach. There were about 40 or less of us left after two hours of combat action. Arvid Larson, from Parkers Prairie, MN, and a good friend, was killed across a nearby road from me in the combat area. Arvid and I, members of the same platoon, had visited just three days earlier, before I was wounded, and I had encountered him once again on the day he was killed.

Gene Nelson (L) and Arvid Larson (R) photographed together while in training back in the USA.

Arvid and I went into the service together, in the same platoon. After I was wounded, I was carried by ambulance back to Le Havre, France, and then by air evac plane to a hospital at Birmingham, England. Norman’s and my folks visited a lot. My parents told Norman’s family that they should write to Norm and tell him the location of the hospital where I was being patched up.. Norm got the word and talked someone into flying him over to see me.

The news story, above, and the cartoon below were copied from Gene Nelson’s collection. The name and date of the newspaper were not identifiable. From the color and condition of the clippings, it was obvious that they were from the WW II era.

I was most surprised to see him and he was able to stay over a few days and we had a good visit. He asked me “Where did you land in England when airlifted out of France?” I said “New Barry.” (located near Cardiff & Bristol Channel) He said “That’s where I’m stationed. It would have been something if he had been piloting the plane I was on. Editor’s note: The port of Barry is not far from Greenham Commons Air Base.

During the time he was stationed in France he made another attempt to visit me, but I was out on pass. He went to the orderly room and asked for me. I was supposed to be back in the night before. That coincidence caused me to be confined to camp for one week. When the war was over in Germany, Norman was scheduled to go back to the States and then on to the Pacific. Before going home, Norman put new engines in his plane and flew over for a final visit. He told me his plane would have the identification of “3X”, just below the cockpit window. I was gone when Norman did fly over the camp. They tell me the tops of the tents flapped as the plane made a low pass. When we got home, Norman told me about flying over the camp. Norman and I remained friends during the years until Norman passed away.

Healing processes well underway, here is a photo of Staff Sergeant Eugene Nelson, taken December 14, 1955 Editor’s Note: I have had the pleasure of knowing Gene now for almost 29 years. His joyful, positive, and warm manner make him a special gift to all who know him. He has been active in a variety of public service activities throughout his life. This is the end of the Gene Nelson Story. Click here to return to Chapter 6, Page 1.

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