PVT Pearlie Ernest Neilson

PVT Pearlie Ernest Neilson was born 4 Apr 1910 in Hawley, Massachusetts. He was the 10th of the 11 children born to Otto and Randina (Ericksen) Neilson. Both parents were natives of Norway and Otto had immigrated in 1884 and gone back to marry Randina bringing her over in 1887. Otto first farmed near Hawley then moved the family to Pittsfield, Massachusetts where he worked as a teamster and then as a carpenter. Pearlie's older brother Reynold died in France in 1918 and his mother died in 1925. He did not advance beyond the 8th grade. Pearlie married Bernice Funk in May 1936 and the couple lived in Pittsfield at 51 Parkside Avenue and he worked for the Public Works department of the city of Pittsfield. Sister Eva would die in 1937. The family then rented a house at 235 Melbourne Road, needed because Pearlie and Bernice had 2 girls before 1940.

Pearlie was drafted the day before his son was born in December 1943. Friends and family threw him a going away party before he left for his first training station, Fort Devens, Massachusetts. PVT Neilson was then sent overseas and on 11 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry. He was struck by shell fragments from an artillery shell on 26 Aug 1944 which ranged from his throat down to his feet. Despite the immediate treatment, including the removal of a kidney, PVT Neilson died of his wounds on 27 Aug 1944. 

PVT Neilson was repatriated in 1948 returning aboard the USAT Greeneville Victory and he was re-interred in the Pittsfield Cemetery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Brother, PFC Reynold Henry Neilson, was killed in action 12 Apr 1918 while serving with F Company 104th Infantry, 26th Division in France.