NORTHWOOD MAN KILLED IN DRIVE
1st Reported Missing in Normandy Invasion
Northwood -- Cpl. Albert B. Nelson, better known as Gaylord, was killed in action June 9 in the European campaign, according to word received by his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Aase. He was reported missing in action 3 days after the invasion in a message received here June 27.
Cpl. Nelson had made his home here with Mr. and Mrs. Aage since he was 3 years old, at which time his mother died.
He is a graduate of Northwood high school. He entered the U.S. army in 1942 and received training at Little Rock, Ark., and in Florida before going overseas in October, 1943.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, October 27, 1944 (photo included
Albert Gaylord Benhart Nelson was born Aug. 18, 1918 to Hans Peter and Anna Lesa Bakken Nelson. He died June 9, 1944/FOD Apr. 6, 1945 and is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands and has a cenotaph in South Shell Rock Cemetery, Northwood, IA. He was the foster son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Aase.
Sgt. Nelson served in World War II with the U.S. Army 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and was MIA/KIA/FOD in the English Channel. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
