Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Veterans History Project

Wilfred R. Nelson, Chief, US Navy, 1934-1938, 1942-1945

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Wilfred Nelson (“Nig”) made the 100 year mark at the end of last July. 100 years! He was the fifth of eleven kids born on a small homestead in SW Cheyenne County. In addition to joining his older brothers as farm help for his parents, he was a talented young man. By the time he was nineteen, he had done plenty of hard work and had lived through the Great Depression.

One of his older brothers, Delbert, had joined the U.S Navy and enjoyed it. He was a Naval Officer. This career choice encouraged Nig to join the Navy as well. In 1934, he headed to the recruiter’s office.

After signing himself up, he passed the physical exam and was put on a rickety train bound for San Diego, California for “boot camp”. It would have been his first train ride and first look at a lot of America along the way. Most of the passengers on the trian were headed for the same destination.

(The Naval Training Center, San Diego housed as many as 33,000 people during WWII. Although 25,000 were recruits, it’s a ton of folks that were familiarized with being warriors on the sea. The base continues to be successful in producing our most elite fighters...the Navy Seals. )

Nig didn’t have much trouble with the basic boot camp part of training. He was a good-sized man, physically capable of completing any task he was charged with. He learned the marching and close-order drill easily. He was already a marksman because of his farming background. In a seemingly short time, boot camp was over. Still in San Diego, the next step in training the new people would have been learning about sailing and the skills necessary to keep ships moving across the water.

Nig was to be a machinist mate. The Machinist’s Mate is charged with the task of maintaining the machinery that propels the Navy’s ships forward to victory.

Skilled technicians, they operate, maintain, and repair the complex network of steam and gas driven engines that comprise the ship’s propulsion system. They also maintain auxiliary machinery, such as electro-hydraulic steering engines, elevators, and desalinization equipment, ensuring the efficient completion of vital shipboard tasks.

During the training period, the US Navy would suggest future assignments to the young men. They might get to serve in training, or on a destroyer, or on a battleship -the ones named after various States in the United States.

This piece of his Navy career ended in 1938. He had made lots of friends and had been places. On getting out, he returned to farming. He got married (Dorothy May Lipke) and in time, their first child was born.

On the 7th of December 1941, the date that will “live in infamy”, life as all knew it, changed. In 1942, Nig re-joined the US Navy. He was back on active duty and went to a few places. He resumed his previous rank and was back at work as a machinist mate.

He developed a great amount of skill in the refridgeration field. He was accompanied by his family and stationed at the San Diego Naval Base. His last assignment was in Pearl Harbor.

Nig was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. In Navy personnel matters, this level of rank puts one close to walking on water. It is a matter of great pride to be a US Navy Chief.

I’m proud of you Uncle Nig! Twice, your Country called and twice you stood ready to do all you could. Thank you for your service!