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  #1  
Old 24th May 2022, 20:47
wwrsimon wwrsimon is offline
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F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

Hello everyone

Can anyone give me any details about American pilot F/O Nelson, who was rescued by Walrus W7257 of 284 Sqn on the afternoon of September 21st 1943, some 10 miles north of Stromboli in the Mediterranean.

The 284 Sqn ORB records him as 'F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C.' and I understand he is Clifford W. Nelson of the 309th FS/31st FG?

I'd like to confirm his unit, full name and if possible find out how he ended up 'in the drink' if that's at all possible. Researching American losses is not something I've experience of, so any help would be most gratefully received.

Many thanks

Simon

Last edited by wwrsimon; 25th May 2022 at 16:37. Reason: removed aircraft code
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Old 25th May 2022, 02:16
Revi16 Revi16 is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

Not an answer for your date, but this shows a Clifford W. Nelson with the 111TRS involved in an accident on July 26, 1944.


https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/...y/Jul1944O.htm

440726 F-6A 42-103576 111TRS 12 CBL 3 Nelson, Clifford W COR Borgo
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Old 25th May 2022, 03:33
RSwank RSwank is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

There is a little on the bottom of this page and the following:

https://www.google.com/books/edition...sec=frontcover
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Old 25th May 2022, 09:59
Stig Jarlevik Stig Jarlevik is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

Simon

While the rescue itself on Sep 21st gets a mention in MAW 4 nothing is said about any Nelson being rescued.
It says two officers were rescued, but from Stromboli itself.
One officer's name is given (not Nelson)

Even worse, no Clifford Nelson is mentioned in the index either.

He is not mentioned in MAW 5 either, indicating his loss on July 26th (1944) was not operational.

Cheers
Stig
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Old 25th May 2022, 11:47
Leendert Leendert is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

If I interpret dates on https://www.luke.af.mil/Portals/58/3...2020220225.pdf correctly, then 309th FS moved from Sicily to mainland Italy on 21 September 1943.
Any Spitfire losses are not recorded indeed, with bail outs during ferry flight a slight possibility...

Assuming the same F/O Clifford W. Nelson (T-60114), he once had an earlier bail out over Florida on 25 Nov 1942 in P-39D 41-28329.

Col. John R. Hawkins (O-15804, 1899-1947), also rescued, was CO of 64th Fighter Wing at that time.

Regards,
Leendert

Last edited by Leendert; 25th May 2022 at 13:11.
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Old 25th May 2022, 14:23
wwrsimon wwrsimon is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

Many thanks indeed for all the replies.

I've been trying to find a Spitfire loss [losses including Hawkins] that may tie in, but so far have got nowhere.

I see that the extract from 'Beyond Courage' linked in post #3 by RSwank states "the 31st US Fighter Group had been in action on this day [21st Sept], which resulted in Colonel John R. Hawkins and Flight Officer Clifford W. Nelson of the 309th Squadron, going into the sea. Both were between 10 and 15 miles off Stomboli."

Hawkins was picked up in the morning (W7257 took off at 10.30 and landed 12.10), and Nelson in the afternoon (W7257 left at 16.20 and came back at 18.10).

Regards

Simon

Last edited by wwrsimon; 25th May 2022 at 14:23. Reason: odd double line spacing
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Old 27th May 2022, 13:24
wwrsimon wwrsimon is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

Hello again

I posted this query on the RAFCommands Forum:

It seems Hawkins had gone to Sicily for a Conference, and ditched with a dead engine:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...433#post173433

Regards

Simon

Last edited by wwrsimon; 27th May 2022 at 13:25. Reason: Odd double line spacing - again!
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Old 27th May 2022, 19:13
RSwank RSwank is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

I found this newspaper article and I think this is the F/O Clifford W Nelson we seek.
-------------------------------------
Evansville Courier and Press, October 10, 1944 (Evansville, Indiana)

NELSON BROTHERS HAVE FURLOUGHS
Mt Vernon, Oct 9—(Special)
Three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Golston Nelson, East Lynn township, two of them veterans of many months overseas service on opposite sides of the globe, have had furloughs at home together. All are in the army air forces.

Tech Sergt. Curtis Nelson, 28, was in the India-Burma-China theater of war for 32 months in the service command of the 14th army air force. Flight Officer Clifford Nelson, 24, has a record of 80 missions in 21 months service in the African, Sicilian, Italian and Corsican campaigns. He wears the air medal and two oak leaf clusters.

Curtis and Clifford Nelson have been in service for four years.

Master Sergt. Paul Nelson 26, who is stationed at Avon Park, Fla, has a service record of two-and-a-half years. The simultaneous furloughs of the two veterans of foreign service occurred by chance. Learning that his two brothers were at home, Sergt. Paul Nelson succeeded in obtaining a furlough and completed the family reunion.

Last edited by RSwank; 28th May 2022 at 16:59.
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Old 27th May 2022, 19:17
wwrsimon wwrsimon is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

That certainly sounds like him, many thanks indeed.

Lots of background info too, as an added bonus!

Regards

Simon

Last edited by wwrsimon; 27th May 2022 at 19:18. Reason: Accursed odd line spacing again...!!!
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Old 27th May 2022, 20:37
RSwank RSwank is offline
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Re: F/O Nelson U.S.A.A.C. rescued Sept 21st 1943 off Stromboli

A couple of Obits. I believe he was in the reserves.

He was born in IL, but the family later moved to the New Harmony/Evansvillle area of Indiana in the early 1930s.

He became a teacher after the war and taught in multiple states.

See Obit in upper right corner of this next page:
https://issuu.com/poseycountynews/docs/4-30-13/3


https://herald-zeitung.com/obituarie...a4bcf887a.html

Last edited by RSwank; 28th May 2022 at 16:57.
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