President Biden recently awarded the Medal of Honor to seven US Army soldiers, including North Carolina native and Vietnam war hero, Captain Hugh Nelson, who received the award posthumously.
“Captain Hugh R. Nelson, Jr. will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light) on June 5, 1966, near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam,” according to a statement from the White House.
Born on July 11, 1937, Captain Hugh Reaves Nelson Jr. was a native of Rocky Mount, Nash County. Nelson graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. He married Elizabeth Ann Dees on July 22, 1959, and they had three children: Debra Ann, Margaret Dees, and Hugh Reavis Nelson III.
During the Vietnam War Nelson was working as an acting aircraft commander of an armed Huey helicopter, when the helicopter was struck by gunfire and crash-landed in South Vietnam behind enemy lines. All weapons were destroyed in the crash.
Although inured himself, Nelson exited the aircraft to aid his three wounded comrades; two specialists, and a pilot. He started to evacuate his fellow soldiers, including a specialist pinned under the cargo compartment, whom he proceeded to rescue. Nelson observed that the injured pilot had gotten out of the aircraft, and Nelson climbed into the significantly damaged helicopter to assist the second specialist still trapped inside. Despite heavy enemy gunfire rained down on their position from a mere 30 feet away, Nelson continued his efforts until the second specialist was freed, using his own body to shield the specialist from the heavy fire.
The specialist survived, but the gunfire killed Nelson.
“He saved the life of his fellow soldier at the sacrifice of his own,” according to the White House. “Captain Nelson’s selfless sacrifice allowed his wounded comrade to use a smoke grenade to signal supporting aircraft in the area, which responded immediately and successfully evacuated the three wounded crew members and Captain Nelson’s remains.”
Nelson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, worked closely with the Nelson family to request that the DSC be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
“Captain Nelson was a true American hero whose unwavering courage and selfless service embody the very best of our state and nation,” said Tillis in a press release. “My office worked closely with the Nelson family to advocate for Captain Nelson, urging President Biden to upgrade his Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor — the United States Armed Forces’ highest and most prestigious military award.”
“The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while: engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party,” according to the White House.
The conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice to distinguish the individual above his or her comrades clearly and involve risk of life.
“There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit,” according to the White House.
Nelson demonstrated just that, and his surviving family now have a Medal of Honor to commemorate his ultimate sacrifice.