Lt. Col. John T. Nelson
Second Victory
Second Victory
My second victory came during a bomber escort mission. Before reaching the target area, the entire group
had become separated while engaging a large number of German fighters. These Germans had appeared
slightly lower and to the left of our group formation. With my squadron being farthest from this action,
it became evident, if I continued the attack, I would likely soon be at low altitude with no Germans to fight
and, certainly, no chance to rendezvous with our assigned bomber formation. Also, the thickening clouds
and some violent maneuvers had lessened my squadron of sixteen Mustangs to my wingman and me.
On a prior mission, I had been group leader of three squadrons of forty-eight Mustangs and was well
aware that this group leader may have done a no-no in attacking these Germans - at least, as viewed by
the brass at headquarters. We were repeatedly threatened with the axe if dashing off for a fight caused
missing a rendezvous with the bombers we were assigned to protect. Of course, these decisions often
were not easy.
This leader's decision to attack may have caused forty of fifty German fighters to get mangled and never
get near an American bomber on this day, or he may have taken the bait in a trick to draw our Mustangs
away from protecting the bombers. Very often, these were split-second decisions followed by split-second
actions ending in a duel to the death, all measured in seconds. I've seen the sky suddenly become filled
with dueling fighters and then, just as suddenly, the sky was void of such aircraft.
Now, with engines pushing maximum climb power we turned back toward our bomber rendezvous.
Regaining a safer altitude was most desirable as we climbed at slow airspeed in wide line abreast formation
with each watching his area for enemy aircraft. We soon sighted the vapor trails of what I hoped was our
bombers. We cautiously approached alongside the bombers attempting to make tail marking recognition
without drawing their fire. My wingman reported fighters approaching from our left heading toward
the bomber formation.
Immediately pushing engines to war emergency power, we two Mustangs turned to attack the Germans.
While I doubted any count took place, my estimate was 12 to 14 ME-109's.
I had wasted a lot of ammunition firing wildly in other fights and was determined not to do it again;
however, this situation was different. I was at slow airspeed approaching near head-on into the German
attack force. They were probably so focused on the bombers that I wasn't yet seen or, if seen, was to be
ignored as they pressed their mass attack on the bombers.
At not yet ideal firing range, I pressed my six guns into a pot shot firing pattern at the whole formation.
I think my bullets, with their fiery tracers, were a sudden and startling surprise followed by what they
expected could be a collision of planes as I passed near head-on almost within their formation. Some of
the Germans probably continued the bomber attack, but some turned and dove, as did I, to gain a better
fighting airspeed.
The distant speck that I dived for became a ME-109 as my Mustang closed the distance. I don't think he
knew I was on his tail until I started firing and overran his aircraft. I wrenched/jerked my Mustang near
vertically upward as I passed near in front of his guns. We engaged in a rather lengthy dogfight before
I eventually got on his tail and took his life. I killed the pilot at point blank range with a lengthy burst
of my six fifty-caliber machine guns.
On my first victory, the pilot crash-landed his smoking plane in a field and the pilot ran from the plane.
I had experienced anger as another Mustang pilot strafed the crashed plane, and it seemed to me his
bullets could have hit the running German. To my knowledge, no German or Allied fighter pilot ever
fired on an opponent in a parachute or on the ground after scoring a victory. On this second victory, the
plane just came apart with the pilot in the cockpit.
In my mind, this was not a cold-blooded act. Rather, I expected the pilot probably was younger than my
23 years, and, as was I, just doing his duty for his country.
It was on this mission that I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation read as follows:
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular
No. 26, Headquarters NATOUSA, 6 March 1944, the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded the following
named officer, residence an citation as indicated:
John T. Nelson, 0-5752229, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group,
United States Army. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft. On
23 April 1944, Lieutenant Nelson led his flight as escort to heavy bombers on a bombing mission against
important enemy installations in Germany. Near the target area, his formation engaged approximately
twelve (12) enemy fighters, and in the ensuing air battle, Lieutenant Nelson observed six (6) more hostile
aircraft preparing to attack the bomber formation. Immediately turning into the enemy planes, with
complete disregard for their superior numbers, he destroyed one (1) enemy fighter and forced the
remainder to break off their attack. Through his aggressiveness and superior combat skill, the bombers
were thus enabled to continue to the target for a highly successful bombing run. By his outstanding
professional skill, leadership and devotion to his duty, as evidenced throughout over fifty-eight (58)
successful missions against the enemy, Lieutenant Nelson has reflected great credit upon his self and the
Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: Melba, Idaho.
By Command of Major General TWINING
I've wondered where the wording for this award on the facts came from. My debriefing and wing
camera photos were, no doubt, a factor. A rumored, most thankful report from the bomber people was,
no doubt, the largest factor for the approval of the award.
had become separated while engaging a large number of German fighters. These Germans had appeared
slightly lower and to the left of our group formation. With my squadron being farthest from this action,
it became evident, if I continued the attack, I would likely soon be at low altitude with no Germans to fight
and, certainly, no chance to rendezvous with our assigned bomber formation. Also, the thickening clouds
and some violent maneuvers had lessened my squadron of sixteen Mustangs to my wingman and me.
On a prior mission, I had been group leader of three squadrons of forty-eight Mustangs and was well
aware that this group leader may have done a no-no in attacking these Germans - at least, as viewed by
the brass at headquarters. We were repeatedly threatened with the axe if dashing off for a fight caused
missing a rendezvous with the bombers we were assigned to protect. Of course, these decisions often
were not easy.
This leader's decision to attack may have caused forty of fifty German fighters to get mangled and never
get near an American bomber on this day, or he may have taken the bait in a trick to draw our Mustangs
away from protecting the bombers. Very often, these were split-second decisions followed by split-second
actions ending in a duel to the death, all measured in seconds. I've seen the sky suddenly become filled
with dueling fighters and then, just as suddenly, the sky was void of such aircraft.
Now, with engines pushing maximum climb power we turned back toward our bomber rendezvous.
Regaining a safer altitude was most desirable as we climbed at slow airspeed in wide line abreast formation
with each watching his area for enemy aircraft. We soon sighted the vapor trails of what I hoped was our
bombers. We cautiously approached alongside the bombers attempting to make tail marking recognition
without drawing their fire. My wingman reported fighters approaching from our left heading toward
the bomber formation.
Immediately pushing engines to war emergency power, we two Mustangs turned to attack the Germans.
While I doubted any count took place, my estimate was 12 to 14 ME-109's.
I had wasted a lot of ammunition firing wildly in other fights and was determined not to do it again;
however, this situation was different. I was at slow airspeed approaching near head-on into the German
attack force. They were probably so focused on the bombers that I wasn't yet seen or, if seen, was to be
ignored as they pressed their mass attack on the bombers.
At not yet ideal firing range, I pressed my six guns into a pot shot firing pattern at the whole formation.
I think my bullets, with their fiery tracers, were a sudden and startling surprise followed by what they
expected could be a collision of planes as I passed near head-on almost within their formation. Some of
the Germans probably continued the bomber attack, but some turned and dove, as did I, to gain a better
fighting airspeed.
The distant speck that I dived for became a ME-109 as my Mustang closed the distance. I don't think he
knew I was on his tail until I started firing and overran his aircraft. I wrenched/jerked my Mustang near
vertically upward as I passed near in front of his guns. We engaged in a rather lengthy dogfight before
I eventually got on his tail and took his life. I killed the pilot at point blank range with a lengthy burst
of my six fifty-caliber machine guns.
On my first victory, the pilot crash-landed his smoking plane in a field and the pilot ran from the plane.
I had experienced anger as another Mustang pilot strafed the crashed plane, and it seemed to me his
bullets could have hit the running German. To my knowledge, no German or Allied fighter pilot ever
fired on an opponent in a parachute or on the ground after scoring a victory. On this second victory, the
plane just came apart with the pilot in the cockpit.
In my mind, this was not a cold-blooded act. Rather, I expected the pilot probably was younger than my
23 years, and, as was I, just doing his duty for his country.
It was on this mission that I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation read as follows:
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular
No. 26, Headquarters NATOUSA, 6 March 1944, the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded the following
named officer, residence an citation as indicated:
John T. Nelson, 0-5752229, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group,
United States Army. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft. On
23 April 1944, Lieutenant Nelson led his flight as escort to heavy bombers on a bombing mission against
important enemy installations in Germany. Near the target area, his formation engaged approximately
twelve (12) enemy fighters, and in the ensuing air battle, Lieutenant Nelson observed six (6) more hostile
aircraft preparing to attack the bomber formation. Immediately turning into the enemy planes, with
complete disregard for their superior numbers, he destroyed one (1) enemy fighter and forced the
remainder to break off their attack. Through his aggressiveness and superior combat skill, the bombers
were thus enabled to continue to the target for a highly successful bombing run. By his outstanding
professional skill, leadership and devotion to his duty, as evidenced throughout over fifty-eight (58)
successful missions against the enemy, Lieutenant Nelson has reflected great credit upon his self and the
Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: Melba, Idaho.
By Command of Major General TWINING
I've wondered where the wording for this award on the facts came from. My debriefing and wing
camera photos were, no doubt, a factor. A rumored, most thankful report from the bomber people was,
no doubt, the largest factor for the approval of the award.
P-51 Mustang
ME-109's
ME-109 taking hits.
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