Appoquinimink Hundred 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. 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

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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.

Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-144A.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the 4-H Youth Program, the Delaware Public Archives, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1918.

Location. 39° 24.756′ N, 75° 42.159′ W. Marker is near Townsend, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Appoquinimink Hundred. It 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

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 24, 2010

2. Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Marker

Summit Bridge Rd, Townsend DE 19734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Delaware’s Southern New Castle County, in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Global War on Terrorism (here, next to this marker); VFW Post 3792 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Townsend (approx. 1.3 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Townsend World War II Honor Roll (approx. 1.4 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); This Tree Was Living When William Penn Came to Pennsylvania (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Townsend.

Everett Meredith Middle School image. Click for full size.

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.

Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Marker wide view at new location image. Click for full size.

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 May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,443 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, Delaware. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.