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George B. Nelson
1917 – 2005
We've lost another of The
Greatest Generation. George
Nelson, 82nd Airborne veteran of WWII and father of Barbara, Tom, Ed and
Steve, died November 1, in Walnut
Creek at the age of 88. As a young solider in World War II George participated in six combat jumps including
Operation Husky I - Sicily, Operation Avalanche - Salerno, Operation Overlord
(D-Day) Normandy, Operation Market Garden - Nijmegen, Holland and the Battle
of the Bulge -Malmedy Ardennes. He
received numerous decorations including; the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit
Citation (Army), Ste. Mere Eglise and Nijmegen, French Croix de Guerre with
Palm, Ste. Mere Eglise, Netherlands Orange Lanyard and Belgian Fourragere
1940 Ardennes, Belgium and Germany. But, he always said he was most proud of
his combat infantry badge.
Upon returning to California after the
war George married Elayne J.
Stewart and raised a family which now includes six grandchildren. He is
deeply missed. George
will be interred in Arlington
Nat. Cemetery
with full military honors 30 Nov., joining Elayne, who passed away in 1993.
Published in the Contra Costa Times on 11/3/2005.
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