Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr.
Captain, U.S. Army

Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr. was born on 11 July 1937 in Charlotte, NC, the son of Hugh Reavis and Sara B. B. Nelson. He graduated from The Citadel in the Class of 1959 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery.

On 5 June 1966, Captain Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr. was serving with the 114th Assault Helicopter Company, 13th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, in South Vietnam.

On that day, CPT Nelson was aircraft commander of a UH-1B helicopter when it was struck by hostile gun fire. It was downed in the middle of many insurgent positions and all weapons were destroyed in the crash. Upon impact, all persons aboard the aircraft were unconscious. As the first person to regain consciousness with the physical ability to aid the other 3 crew members, CPT Nelson debarked the aircraft and began evacuating his crew. Moving to the left side of the aircraft, he ripped off the door with his bare hands and removed a dazed Specialist who had been pinned in the cargo compartment. After placing the man on the ground and seeing that the injured pilot had managed to get out of the aircraft, CPT Nelson climbed into the ship to assist another Specialist still trapped in the aircraft. Although the insurgents began a heavy volume of automatic and small arms fire at a range of about 30 feet from the aircraft, he continued his efforts until he freed the trapped crew member. He then forced the man to the ground and, using his own body as a human shield to cover him, saved the life of his fellow soldier at the sacrifice of his own. His efforts enabled a crew member to send a signal with a smoke grenade to supporting aircraft that quickly responded and evacuated the survivors. CPT Nelson's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 1
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Army Aviator Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Field Artillery) Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr. (ASN: 0-99098), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 5 June 1966 while serving as a member of the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light), 1st Aviation Brigade, engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Nelson was acting as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1B helicopter when it was struck by hostile gun fire, downed in the middle of many insurgent positions, and had all weapons destroyed in the crash. Upon the initial impact, all persons aboard the aircraft were unconscious. As the first person to regain consciousness with the physical ability to aid the other three crew members, Captain Nelson ignored his own injuries, debarked the aircraft, and started to evacuate his fellow soldiers. Proceeding to the left side of the aircraft, he ripped off the door with his bare hands and removed a dazed Specialist who had been pinned in the cargo compartment. After placing the Specialist on the ground and observing that the injured pilot had managed to get out of the aircraft, Captain Nelson climbed into the helicopter to assist another Specialist who was still trapped in the aircraft. Although the insurgents began a heavy volume of automatic and small arms fire at a range of approximately thirty feet from the aircraft, he continued his brave efforts until he freed the trapped crew member. He then forced the Specialist to the ground and, using his own body as a human shield to cover his comrade, saved the life of his fellow soldier at the sacrifice of his own. Through his gallant efforts, he enabled a crew member to send a signal with a smoke grenade to supporting aircraft which responded immediately and resulted in the successful evacuation of the survivors. Captain Nelson's extraordinary heroism on the battlefield, at the cost of his life, reflects great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the armed forces of his country.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 45 (December 1, 1966)

Honors

The name Hugh R Nelson Jr is located on Panel 8E Line 12 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr. is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section I/1875.