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Fort Miles Historical Association adds names to Wall of Honor

BY STEVEN BILLUPS
November 1, 2013
Mary Jones, also a cousin of Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson, reads a letter from one of Nelson’s friends written after his death. He described the character of Nelson while in the service and expressed his sympathy for the family. A portrait of Nelson hangs in Legislative Hall in Dover.
Sue Connor speaks of her father-in-law Sgt. James P. Connor, who was also awarded the Medal of Honor. He was shot three times during the invasion of Southern France. Connor assumed command of his small invasion force after his lieutenant and platoon sergeant were killed. Connor then directed his men, one-third of the original 36 troops, from his prone position because he was shot in the leg, to outflank the Germans and take the position, allowing the rest of the troops to land. President Harry Truman awarded him his medal.
The two engraved bricks honoring Medal of Honor recipients are now on the Wall of Honor. The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 14 Delawareans.

The Fort Miles Historical Association added two more engraved bricks to its Wall of Honor Oct. 19. The bricks, bought by the FMHA, honored two Delaware veterans, Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson and Sgt. James P. Connor, who both received the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II. Families of both veterans were on hand to share memories of their relatives.

Nelson, a forward observer for his mortar team, died in North Africa battling the Germans. The Germans found Nelson’s position and had him surrounded, so Nelson called mortar fire onto his position. Nelson was killed along with dozens of Germans.

Shown is Nelson’s cousin, Leonard Nelson of Rehoboth Beach, reading a letter from Nelson dated April 18, 1943. Nelson was killed April 23, 1943.

 

 

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