Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1944 Lucky Bag:

William Niles Nelson, Jr.

When the ole fourth deck rang with an argument about the Chicago Cubs, the mighty Bears or the Windy City in general, we knew Bill was “blowing” about his home town again. Whether it was handling a yawl, fencing, or keeping the plebes under control, you could bet Junior was there giving his best. Bill won top honors as a knobturner and his success with the fair sex was proven by his engagement to his dream girl from home. Though occasionally a little ratey, Junior was true “Blue and Gold” and when the shooting’s over, it’s a safe bet that Junior will come out on top.

---

The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Bill was lost on April 6, 1956 “in a plane crash at sea.” (Information from September 1956 issue of Shipmate.) The plane was a Douglas Skyraider; the crash was near San Clemente Island. The other two crewmen aboard were also lost.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

William graduated in 1939 from Proviso East high school in Maywood. A future navy man; has his eye on the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis where he will become another John Paul Jones . . . desires to do his best always . . . abhors girls . . . finds sleeping a very pleasant pastime.

In 1940, his father was William, a clothing store department manager, mother Hazel, sisters Evelyn and Roberta, and brother Donald. When William died, his parents were living in West Bradenton, Florida.

Obituary

From the November 1956 issue of Shipmate:

Bill was killed when his AD5N crashed about three miles southeast of Castle Rock, San Clemente Island, Calif., while making high-speed rocket runs in connection with certain evaluation work being conducted by Composite Squadron Thirty-Five. The aircraft sank in about 250 fathoms of water and the wreckage could not be recovered because of the extreme depth.

Bill had been the Maintenance Officer of this squadron for over a year and, prior to that, the Officer-in-Charge of VA(N) Team 27 which deployed to the Western Pacific in the USS BOXER during 1954. He was completing three years of sea duty and had already received orders to the U.S. Naval Academy for duty.

We who knew him know that he wouldn’t have exchanged duty assignments with anyone because of his intense interest in, and devotion to, the carrier night and all-weather attack program; and he died in an attempt to further the cause of his squadron and the U. S. Navy. He will always be an outstanding example of the finest type of naval officer, courageous, gallant and highly intelligent; and will be with us always in memory.

Bill’s widow, Gladys H. Nelson, will continue to live at 209 “G” Ave., Coronado, Calif., with their four children.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook