b. 26/03/1860 Norway. d. 19/09/1941 Farmingdale, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Spanish-American War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award on July 7, 1899 for his actions while serving on as a sailmaker’s mate with the Navy gunboat USS Nashville near Cienfuegos, Cuba on May 11, 1898. A Norwegian immigrant, he joined the US Navy in 1885. After the US declared war on Spain on April 21, 1898, his vessel was ordered to the Cuban waters in support of the war effort. Following the war, he retired from the US Navy in 1905 at the rank of chief boatswain’s mate.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Nelson displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
BURIAL LOCATION: LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY, FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK.
SECTION DSS, GRAVE 2.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: LAKE SUPERIOR MARITIME VISITOR CENTER, DULUTH, MINNESOTA.
