Silver Star/Purple Heart (Bert W. Nelson, 109th Inf, 28th Inf Div)

Pair to Staff Sergeant Bert W. Nelson, 109th Infantry, 28th Infantry Division: Silver Star, slot brooch, unnamed; Purple Heart, slot brooch, machine-engraved “Bert W. Nelson”. With copy of 28th Infantry Division General Orders No.76 (20 Oct 1944) awarding a posthumous Silver Star to SSgt Nelson “…for gallantry in action against the enemy near ****, France, on 7 August 1944. While advancing on ****, France, Company E was pinned down by fierce enemy fire from machine guns, rifle grenades, and snipers. In order to bring fire to bear upon the enemy positions, Staff Sergeant Nelson went forward in the face of the withering fire to establish a machine gun position in a draw. At great risk to his life, he traversed 30 yards of terrain exposed to enemy observation in order to reach his objective. He accomplished the set-up of his gun before a hail of enemy machine gun and small arms fire mortally wounded him. His men, witnessing the exemplification of heroism that prompted the actions of Staff Sergeant Nelson, charged forward killing several of the enemy and forcing the balance to withdraw from their prepared positions…”

Nelson, from Yonkers, New York, is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery, France.