Camps
Held In: BERLIN FRANKFURT, STALAG LUFT 6 & 4
How
Long Interned: 263 days
Liberated
/ repatriated: liberated
Date
Liberated: 04/26/45
Age
at Capture: 21
Medals
Received: VICTORY MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH 3
CLUSTERS, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE (SEE BIO FOR MORE)
Military
Job: ENGINEER - GUNNER
Company:
G. M. CORP.
Occupation
after War: AUTO MECHANIC
Bio:
Donald L. Nelson born December 30, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN. An Airplane
Engine Service Mechanic, he worked on building the Alcan Highway. Based
in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada transferred to Fort Nelson, British
Columbia where he worked for Northwest Airlines servicing the plans that
brought in supplies. Due to the extreme cold he quit this job and
enlisted in the Army Air Force on February 27, 1943 at Ft. Snelling, MN.
He attended Flexible Gunnery School at Las Vegas, Nevada and Mechanics
School at AAFTS Sheppard Field, Texas. He was assigned to the 561st Bomb
Sqd., 388th Bomb Group as an Engineer-Gunner. He was stationed in
England and served in the Battle of Normandy in Northern France. His
group was shuttle bombed over Europe and on one occasion, while on the
ground in Russia, the Russians bombed them and a number of their planes
were destroyed. On August 6, 1944, the B-17 airplane he was flying in as
a bottom ball turret gunner was shot down over Berlin, Germany and he
was taken prisoner. He was held from August 6, 1944 to April 26, 1945 in
Stalag Luft IV and Stalag Luft VI. He was on the 82 day Death March
across Europe. He was awarded the AAF Aircrew Member Badge (Wings),
American Theater Ribbon, Fame Ribbon W/3 Bronze Stars, Victory Medal,
Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal W/3 Bronze Clusters, Distinguished Unit
Badge. He was given an honorable discharge on November 10, 1945. Before
going overseas, Don was married to Genevieve L. Thompson on December 11,
1943. They had one daughter, Judith who went to be with her Lord and
Savior August 1, 1989. Don went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 8,
1997. He found the Lord as his Savior in May of 1950 and served the Lord
with his wife on the Alaskan Mission Field for 41 years in village
missions. He founded a Gospel Radio Station October 11, 1967, a FM Radio
Station October 11, 1977, and a Gospel Television Station December 7,
1981. He and his wife also founded Camp Home/Bibles for Others in
Northern Minnesota.
