In Honor of Medal Of Honor Day
Mar 25th, 2010 by David Anderson
You don’t win this Medal, you earn it. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award given for valor and honor on the battle field. Each recipient has a place in history. Today we honor all (3468) those who earned that distinction including 14 Delawareans.
To the 90 something still living, thank you. To their families, we honor you as well. America is a great nation because of the courage of its people.
Here is the official account of Dover, Delaware’s own Sergeant William L. Nelson.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict. On the morning of 24 April 1943, Sgt. Nelson led his section of heavy mortars to a forward position where he placed his guns and men. Under intense enemy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, he advanced alone to a chosen observation position from which he directed the laying of a concentrated mortar barrage which successfully halted an initial enemy counterattack. Although mortally wounded in the accomplishment of his mission, and with his duty clearly completed, Sgt. Nelson crawled to a still more advanced observation point and continued to direct the fire of his section. Dying of handgrenade wounds and only 50 yards from the enemy, Sgt. Nelson encouraged his section to continue their fire and by doing so they took a heavy toll of enemy lives. The skill which Sgt. Nelson displayed in this engagement, his courage, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty and heroism resulting in the loss of his life, was a priceless inspiration to our Armed Forces and were in keeping with the highest tradition of the U.S. Army.
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