Near Townsend in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008
1. Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Marker
Inscription.
Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson. Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. William Lloyd Nelson was born near Dover, Delaware, on February 22, 1918. He was the son of J. Clarence and Carrie Phillips Nelson. Following his family's move to a farm near Middletown, he was educated in the public schools of the community. He attended Middletown High School when it was located here, graduating in 1937. An active member of the 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America, he was recognized for his athletic achievements in baseball, basketball and football. On January 9, 1941, he entered the United States Army. A member of the 60th Infantry, 9th Division, he participated in the invasion of North Africa in the fall of 1942. On the morning of April 24, 1943, Sgt. Nelson was in command of a heavy mortar section at Djebel Dardyss, Tunisia. Hoping to stop a German counter-offensive, he led his men to a forward position and proceeded to advance alone so that he could observe the enemy and direct the attack. Under intense fire he directed a concentrated barrage that halted the German advance. Mortally wounded and with his mission completed, Sgt. Nelson crawled to a still more advanced position. Although dying of his wounds and only fifty yards from enemy forces, he encouraged his section to continue their attack. His body was later returned to this country for burial in Silverbrook Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware. In recognition of "his courage, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty and heroism," Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
William Lloyd Nelson was born near Dover, Delaware, on February 22, 1918. He was the son of J. Clarence and Carrie Phillips Nelson. Following his family's move to a farm near Middletown, he was educated in the public schools of the community. He attended Middletown High School when it was located here, graduating in 1937. An active member of the 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America, he was recognized for his athletic achievements in baseball, basketball and football. On January 9, 1941, he entered the United States Army. A member of the 60th Infantry, 9th Division, he participated in the invasion of North Africa in the fall of 1942. On the morning of April 24, 1943, Sgt. Nelson was in command of a heavy mortar section at Djebel Dardyss, Tunisia. Hoping to stop a German counter-offensive, he led his men to a forward position and proceeded to advance alone so that he could observe the enemy and direct the attack. Under intense fire he directed a concentrated barrage that halted the German advance. Mortally wounded and with his mission completed, Sgt. Nelson crawled to a still more advanced position. Although dying of his wounds and only fifty yards from enemy forces, he encouraged his section to continue their attack. His body was later returned to this country for burial in Silverbrook Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware. In recognition
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of "his courage, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty and heroism," Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-144A.)
Location. 39° 24.756′ N, 75° 42.159′ W. Marker is near Townsend, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker can be reached from Summit Bridge Road (Delaware Route 71) 0.4 miles south of Green Giant Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker stands on the grounds of Middletown VFW Post 3792. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5695 Summit Bridge Rd, Townsend DE 19734, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008
3. Everett Meredith Middle School
Previously Middletown High School.
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 18, 2008
4. Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Marker
Sgt. Nelson is buried in Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmingon DE. The grave GPS is N39.7519 W75.5903
Photographed By Carl Gordon Moore Jr., September 6, 2020
5. Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Marker
The school is being demolished, but a replacement is planned for that site. At least for now, the marker is missing.
Photographed By Pete Skillman, April 16, 2024
6. Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Marker wide view at new location
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,070 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. Photos:1. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 24, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on April 19, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on September 7, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. 6. submitted on April 18, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.