Veteran's History Project - Virgil A. Nelson

Virgil A. Nelson

Chief Petty Officer

U.S. Navy

1938-1945

EDITOR'S NOTE: Veteran's History Project author Larry Nelson is taking a few weeks off. During that time, we'll re-run previously published features about local veterans. The following story about Virgil Nelson, who passed away in October 2012 at the age of 97, first appeared in the Sun-Telegraph on April 7, 2012.

In early 1938, Virgil Nelson was 22. He had grown up on a farm southwest of Potter. He was the fourth of six children. His father had passed away. The children worked long hours to support the family and their mother. The count...