PVT Wilford C. Nelson

courtesy of Vickie Minor Barker

PVT Wilford C. Nelson was born 2 Jul 1920 in Jefferson County, Illinois. he and twin sister Wilma were the 7th and 8th of 9 children born the Charles Benjamin and Luvada Virginia (Hayes) Nelson. The family farmed. Wilford married Irma Jean Mooney on 20 Dec 1941.

Wilford was drafted in August 1942. After basic training he was sent to England and assigned to A Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault on occupied Europe. The attack took place on the morning of 6 Jun 1944 and PVT Nelson was killed in action on that day.

PVT Nelson is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery. His family has a marker for him, along with his sister, at Hopewell Cemetery in Idlewood, Illinois.