Veteran's History Project: Leland V. Nelson

Leland V. Nelson

Tech Sergeant

WWII

1943-1945

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is one of many American Veteran accounts published in The Sidney Sun-Telegraph. The writer, who is from Sidney, is conducting the interviews as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

Leland V. Nelson spent his formative years in the area of Platte County. Like kids from western Nebraska, he walked the miles to school as well as getting to school by horsepower – one way or another. On more than one occasion, Leland's horse drawn wagon was faster than that of a neighboring student – the race was on more than once!

Leland graduated from Newman Grove High School in the spring of 1941. Leland spent the ensuing summer shocking wheat in North Dakota. It was more hard physical work than would be expected today.

Leland decided to further his skill level by learning a trade.

On Dec. 7, 1941, he and a friend were driving to Omaha. The breaking news was about the tragedy at Pearl Harbor. Leland and his friend were already enrolled at Morton Aircraft School. The school lasted about 10 weeks and right away, the two found follow-on careers at the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Manufacturing Co. in a plant near Buffalo, N.Y.

The long trip from Columbus to New York was mostly carried out with the timely and urgent use of the "thumb." In time and with good luck, the hitchhiking brought them to their destination. They started work on the assembly lines producing the Curtiss P-40 for America's Army Air Forces.

Things were going along well for the two young men. By the end of 1942, they both knew that their futures were certainly going to change. Leland's friend, Martin Crantz, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and in a few short weeks, died in a training accident.

In February 1943, Leland received notice that he was being drafted into the U.S. Army. After passing all the physical and aptitude tests with flying colors, he found himself on a troop train that was loaded with lots of other young guys. This one was going south to Texas. The final stop for his group was Camp Swift, located about 30 miles east of the state's capitol city, Austin.

The site was used by the Army as an infantry replacement training camp. The Army constructed numerous barracks, warehouses, support buildings, training facilities and areas, recreational facilities, artillery ranges, motor pool vehicle parking areas with gasoline pumps, storage tanks and security boundary fences. This army training facility housed, at its peak, over 90,000 U.S. servicemen.

In that Leland was a "farm kid," he didn't need a lot of training in rifle marksmanship. He "got it." The rest of the ten weeks of training went fine for him. He learned the rudiments of being a soldier. On graduating from basic training, he and others were sent on to the next training site, which was Fort Polk, La.

Leland also learned that he was assigned to the engineer branch of the U.S. Army. He would learn to operate and maintain significant pieces of equipment, how to repair bridges, how to make temporary bridges that would be strong enough to provide passage for tanks and the effective use of explosives to prepare roads and runways. After surviving the maneuvers, deadly snakes and swamps, Leland also received important training that he would use soon.

Leland finished his courses and was assigned to an engineer brigade that would be part of the 1st Army.

The graduates got on another troop train and made their way to Fort Dix, N.J., where they readied for movement across the Atlantic Ocean and probably into the fight against the Nazis.

Soon, Leland and his group left their assembly area and made their way to the seaport where they and thousands of other warriors boarded the Queen Mary. This "borrowed" liner had become a troop ship that made many trips across the ocean, carrying our forces to war. Because of the U-Boat threat that was focused on sinking ships carrying too many men, the Queen Mary performed zig-zag movements to avoid detection. There were so many men aboard. Sleeping accommodations included hammocks and/or bunks stacked five and six bunks high. Soldiers were to be in the bunks for 12 hours, then walk the upper deck while another group slept in the bunks. Obtaining and taking the meals had to have been miraculous. Surely, many new friends were made on this trip!

In about seven days, the ship arrived at the designated port on the west side of Scotland. After disembarking, the men re-assembled on land and were taken by trains to England. The men were finally taken to an encampment that was a "work-in-progress." It was near Swansea, England. They slept in wall tents while Quonset huts were being built for them. The guys helped in the construction efforts.

Because of the rumor mill and official information, the men finally knew that they were going to be a part of a big invasion into northern France. They did get a little time away from the camp. They got to see some of London, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. They also saw the rubble left after the German bombing efforts. Leland also got his first look at the 'buzz bombs."

The time was now May 1944. Leland watched as so many men and so much equipment staged for the invasion of Normandy. After a couple of delays from weather, it was "on." Leland said that when dawn broke the morning of June 6, if one looked to the sky, all he could see was wave after wave of bomber air planes. When he looked to the water, all he could see were landing craft and support ships. It was "phenomenal"...and dangerous.

He said that the 1st Army (Gen. Bradley) used the 1st Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Division to secure the beach head and overtake the enemy. Leland's unit was the 5th Engineer Special Brigade. The brigade was assigned amphibious operations. He said that when they were on the LSI (Landing Ships Infantry), and getting close to Omaha Beach, they were told to climb overboard, get on the cargo nets and lower your selves into the water then get to the shore! As he did this, one of the wood pieces on the netting snapped with his weight. He recovered quickly and made it to the beach.

The patch on the top of the left sleeve of Leland's Eisenhower Jacket is bright blue and domed. The inner insignia is a golden eagle over a machine gun, which sits atop bomb-like items. It is very distinctive. They participated in the invasion of Normandy (Omaha Beach) and operated Omaha Beach for a time. Leland was fortunate to make it as he saw a "lot of good men die all around him."

The U.S. and Allied troops began establishing their positions and regrouped. The 3rd Army (LTG George Patton) now joined the fight. The mission was to push the Germans across northern France and into Germany. This was not an easy ride. Although our bombing efforts were very helpful, there was still plenty of hard fighting that was to take place. Patton's quote was right: "Wars are won by people who actually go out and do things."

Leland was also at the Ardennes, where the German forces massed for a final battle. This, the Battle of the Bulge, will never be forgotten.

Leland's awards include the Good Conduct Medal, the European Theater Medal and the Victory Medal.

When it was time to leave the European Theater of Operations, Leland had developed medical issues from strenuous activity (in impromptu football game). He had to have surgery and his return trip was delayed about a month.

When he got back to the U.S., he was transported by troop train to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., where he was paid for leave time, travel pay and sent on his way home.

Leland was asked what he remembered the most? "A lot of very good men died." He remembered the expression: "When you go home, tell them of us, and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today." The best memory was getting out of Europe and out of the Army!

In not much time, Leland met his fine bride, Irene. They eventually settled as farmer/ranchers north of Bushnell. Leland passed not long ago.

Tech Sergeant Leland Nelson, great job! Thank you for your service.