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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore Vernon Nelson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Bois-de-Chaume, near Consenvoye, France, 9 October 1918. When the right platoon of his company was held up by machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Nelson, alone and in the face of direct fire, attacked the guncrew, killing the gunner and capturing two prisoners. After reaching his objective he was wounded but refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the operations of his company. When an enemy counterattack forced a withdrawal of his company, he ordered the men who were assisting him to the rear to leave him. He later died of his wounds.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    132d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 7 (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), Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore Vernon Nelson, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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. Second Lieutenant Nelson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 9 October 1918, at Bois de Chaume, near Consenvoye, France, in single handed attacking and putting out of action an enemy machine gun. [This award was rescinded under GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8 (March 1, 1920) as the recipient has been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for deed including this act.]