Russell J. Nelson

Last updated
Russell J. Nelson
BornMontcalm County, Michigan
DisappearedDecember 15, 1944
at Sea, Philippines
DiedDecember 15, 1944
At Sea
Cause of deathMissing in action or lost at sea, Prisoner of War, under Japanese control
Buried
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service/branch United States Department of the Army Seal.svg United States Army
Years of service1917 - 1944
Rank US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel
Service number O-012423
Unit101st Infantry Division (Philippines)
Commands102nd Infantry Regiment (PA)

Cotabato Force

101st Infantry Regiment (PA)
Known forCommanded Cotabato subsector
Battles/warsBattle of Cotabato
AwardsBronze Star

Prisoner of War Medal
Purple Heart
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Army Good Conduct Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Markmanship Badge

World War II Victory Medal

Contents

Russell J. Nelson, is a US Army colonel who served both on World War I and World War II. He was known to comma.nd Cotabato subsector and Japanese invasion of Mindanao on later Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1942. He surrendered his regiment upon the surrendered of all forces in the Philippines in May 1942. He went missing at sea when his transport ship was bombed and sunk.

Nelson initially commanded 101st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Army under 101st Infantry Division based in Dansalan, Lanao. In November 1941, the division transferred to Malaybalay, Bukidnon. [1]

In December, he was sent by then Colonel Joseph Vachon, commander 101st Infantry Division to Cotabato, Cotabato to thwart any Japanese landings in the area. [1] He organized his troops from local volunteers, PC units, and later 2nd Battalion, 102nd Infantry under Major William Baldwin arrived from Cagayan. [2] Another battalion arrived 2nd Battalion, 103rd Infantry and 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery (Fighting as infantry) [1]

When General Sharp ordered his Mindanao-Visayas Force to surrendered. He became POW and incarcerated in Camp Casisang, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Later, he was moved to Cagayan and transported to Luzon. He along with other POW was boarded to one of transport ships to move to Japan. However, his ship was bombed and sunk. Colonel Nelson was missing and presumed dead on December 15, 1944. His memoriam is in the Walls of Missing at American Manila Cemetery, in the Philippines. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Morton, Louis (1953). The Fall of the Philippines, November 1941 – May 1942 (1st ed.). Washington, D.C: US Government Printing Press (published June 26, 1953). pp. 510–512.
  2. Tarkington, Hiram. There were others. pp. 245–246.
  3. "Russell J Nelson : Colonel from Michigan, World War II Casualty". www.honorstates.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.

See also