The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot at Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam, on 8 May 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson was mission commander of a strike executed against the vital Thai Nguyen railroad yard. Despite marginal weather conditions en route, Colonel Nelson led his force directly to the target, delivering his ordnance under intense fire from the heavy target defenses. The result of Colonel Nelson’s daring leadership was the interdiction of this critical railroad yard and the destruction of a large quantity of railroad stock. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Nelson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
7th Air ForceAction Date:
July 7, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot over North Vietnam on 7 July 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson was mission commander of a large force of fighter-bombers assigned to strike targets on Hanoi’s northeast rail line to Communist China. While en route to the target he discovered that the prevailing weather would preclude effective execution of the planned strikes. Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the lucrative targets within range of his strike force, Colonel Nelson directed his flight leaders to deliver their ordnance against key interdiction and fleeting targets along the Red River rail line. Colonel Nelson led his own flight in destroying a twenty-five car train and the tracks on which it stood despite intense defensive fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Nelson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
7th Air ForceAction Date:
June 30, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Headquarters Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, SEVENTH Air Force, in action at Viet Tri, North Vietnam on 30 June 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson led a flight of F-105 fighter-bombers against the heavily defended petroleum products storage area at Viet Tri, only 18 miles northwest of Hanoi. As Colonel Nelson began his attack maneuver, his aircraft suffered battle damage from the intense radar controlled heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire defending his target. Determination to destroy his assigned target overriding concern for his own safety, Colonel Nelson valiantly delivered his ordnance on the target, destroying a large storage tank and marking the partially obscured complex for the other members of his flight. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Nelson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
7th Air ForceAction Date:
June 22, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Colonel William Humphrey Nelson (AFSN: FR-33458/AO-667540), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot at Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 22 June 1966. On that date, Colonel Nelson led his flight in attacking a petroleum storage area in the heavily defended Thai Nguyen industrial complex. Despite the heavy barrage defenses he encountered as he pulled up and dove on his target, Colonel Nelson placed his ordnance precisely on the main storage bunkers of the facility, destroying them and their contents. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Nelson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.