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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Oscar B. Nelson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near La Croix Rouge Farm, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, 26 July 1918. During this attack when his company commander had been severely wounded and the second officer in command had been killed, Lieutenant Nelson, although wounded himself, displayed remarkable courage and bravery under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire when he assumed command of the company and led it gallantly forward, remaining in command until the attack was over and his company relieved.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    168th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 13 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Oscar B. Nelson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at La Tuilerie Farm, France, 16 October 1918. Accompanied by six soldiers, First Lieutenant Nelson advanced 600 yards beyond his own lines through heavy fire from enemy artillery, machine-guns, and rifles, and captured two more machine-guns, killing, capturing, or dispersing their crews. Still later in the day he led his company in an attack on Chatillon Hill and took his objective, but in so doing received wounds which caused his death. His coolness, courage, and utter disregard for his own safety were a source of great inspiration to his men.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    168th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 13 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Oscar B. Nelson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at La Tuilerie Farm, France, 16 October 1918. Lieutenant Nelson alone attacked two enemy machine-guns, killing two of the enemy and capturing 19.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    168th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 26, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 3 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Oscar B. Nelson, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Nelson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near the La Croix Rouge Farm, near Beuvardes, France, 26 July 1918, in refusing to be evacuated although badly wounded.