A veteran of several expeditionary tours and World War II, Nelson gained reputation as one of the Corps' top experts in communications.

He was stationed at Port-au-Prince and served simultaneously as Brigade Signal Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Haitian government radio, telephone and international communications system.

Nelson received a Letter of Commendation from the Commander-in-Chief, Asiatic Fleet, Admiral Thomas C. Hart for "exercising considerable tact, judgement and initiative in preserving the security of the resident and their property from internal disorders.

"[1] Following his return to the United States in July 1940, Nelson was attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., and served as communications materiel assistant to the Quartermaster General, Seth Williams and as officer-in-charge of the Signal Supply Division.

He returned to the United States in September 1945 and reported for duty at Portsmouth Navy Yard, where he was appointed commanding officer of Marine Barracks there.

[1] Nelson was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in August 1952 and ordered to the Headquarters Marine Corps for duty as assistant chief of staff for personnel (G-1).

He was responsible for the amphibious training of Army and Navy forces on the West Coast of the United States until the beginning of July 1956, when he was succeeded by his Naval Academy classmate, Russell N. Jordahl and retired from active duty.

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Nels H. Nelson:[5] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.