S/Sgt. Orville Thomas Nelson was born in Cicero, Illinois, on August 20, 1915, to Thomas Nelson and Bessie Pender-Nelson, and had a sister and two brothers. His family resided at 1111 South 2nd Avenue and attended Proviso Township High School for three years before leaving to go to work. He worked at the Pheoll Manufacturing Company in Chicago. When the Selective Service Act took effect on October 16, 1940, he registered for the draft and gave his address as 31 South 17th Avenue, Maywood. He also named his father as he contact person. He also joined the Illinois National Guard after registering and received the serial number 20 607 110. It is known that he married, Gertrude, and that his wife used her middle name as her first name. Records show they resided at 7647 West Adams Street, Forest Park, Illinois.
On January 20, 1941, he was inducted into the US Army in Chicago. It is known he trained at the following bases, but it is not known in what order: Camp Forrest, Tennessee, Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, where he guarded locks. At some point, he was assigned to Company C, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division. He also rose in rank to staff sergeant. It is known that the 305th did amphibious training at Camp Pickett, Virginia, and Camp Bradford, Virginia. After completing this training, they were sent by train to Camp Stoneman, California, arriving on March 14, 1944. The 305th left San Francisco on March 25, 1944, for Hawaii and arrived there on the April 1st. In Hawaii, they were stationed at Camp Pali where they did jungle training until June 30th. On July 1st, they boarded their transports and sailed for Guam and found themselves off the island on July 21st.
On July 21st, at 10:30 am, the landed on Guam as part of the second wave. This was done because they had no combat experience. When they landed, the fighting was already off the beach, but they still had to deal with snipers. After days of fierce fighting, the island was secured on August 10, 1944. Afterwards, they went into action taking other islands in the Mariana island chain from the Japanese; including Okinawa.
From Okinawa, the regiment sailed for the Philippine Island of Cebu – which had already been liberated – where they landed and bivouacked near a beach. There, they were allowed to rest. Then, they began training again for another amphibious landing. On December 26, 1944, the 305th landed on the east coast of Ormoc Bay, Leyte, on December 6, 1944. The regiment fought its way inland securing the barrio of Valencia and Libungao-Palompon Road Junction on December 10, 1944. What is known is that on December 15, 1944, was killed in action. Three days later on December 18, 1944, in a shelter half, he was buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Camp Downes #1, Leyte Philippine Islands.
The War Department in Washington DC received confirmation of his death on January 20, 1945, and his wife was sent a telegram.
J. GERTRUDE NELSON
7646 WEST ADAMS ST
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES OF ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR HUSDAND STAFF SERGEANT ORVILE T NELSON WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON THE FIFTEEN DECEMBER N THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
In a letter dated September 10, 1946, telling his wife where he was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. She was also informed that she would receive another letter providing information of her options for Orville’s final burial. On November 4, 1947, she received another letter that provided her with information where she could have Orville buried. She was asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where she wanted him buried. It was noted in a memo dated July 21, 1948, that she had not returned the form to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC.
The form was received by the OQMG on August 19, 1948, indicating that Orville should be buried at an American Military Cemetery. A new American Military Cemetery was opened outside of Manila in 1948. On August 31, 1949, S/Sgt. Orville T. Nelson was buried, with full military honors at the cemetery in Plot B, Row 14, Grave 117. His wife was sent the flag that covered his casket with a letter.
S/Sgt Orville T Nelson, ASN 20 607 110
Plot B, Row 14, Grave 117
Headstone: Cross
Ft. McKinley U. S. Military Cemetery
(Manila, Philippine Islands)
Mrs. J. Gertrude Nelson
7647 West Adam Street
Forest Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Nelson:
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved one have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of cemetery.
While interments are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. You may rest assured that the final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
H. FELDMAN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
