THE WALL OF FACES

I Knew Steve . . .
Richard Anderson, 12th grade chemistry teacher - "Stephan didn't say to much. He always had a grin on his face and was a real likeable kid."

Howard Solheim, 12th grade senior social teacher - "He was a real nice boy and quick to smile. Stephan was basically a good, friendly boy."

Mel Shay, 12th grade English teacher - "He was a pretty good worker and willing to help when asked. He often helped at selling concessions at the home sporting events. He was a real nice kid."

H. R. Findell 12th grade advance bookkeeping teacher - "Steve had a real nice personality and smiled a lot. For three years he was pretty active in intramural basketball. He got along well with the kids and seemed to be very clean cut. Everyone speaks well of him."

Stephan Joseph Nelson, enlisted in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June, 1966. He trained at Camp Pendleton and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, I Company, 2nd Platoon. As Donna Parish, Stephan's oldest sister says, "Stephan was an all-around kid. He was very likable, always had a smile on his face, and was a loving and caring person. He was the youngest of my three brothers. Because our mother had suffered from cancer for many years and had passed away two years before Stephan, he was more like a son to me." As a young kid, he mowed lawns for neighbors in the summer and later worked as a farm hand during high school for a good friend and neighbor. Stephan graduated from Princeton High School in 1966.

It was Stephan's life-long dream to fulfill his duty as an American by serving in the military. He was the only Marine in the entire family. His two older brothers were in the Army, one of whom was in Vietnam two years before Stephan. Stephan completed four weeks of individual combat training in November of 1966 and took a refresher training and processing cycle later. Stephan was sent to Vietnam in January of 1967. He served as a point man on many missions in Vietnam. In one letter, he joked about digging a foxhole for his young nephews in his brother's front lawn when he returned home. Stephan had talked about getting a new car as soon as he finished his tour of duty and then possibly going to college.

Stephan wrote letters as often as he could, the last of which his sister Donna received after being notified of his death. In that letter he wrote about being "so tired" and wet. In letters to his sister, Nancy, he always asked for any food she could send such as lemon drops, cookies, and Kool-Aid. He said that all of the guys shared the food they received from home with everyone. Stephan wrote about the terrible conditions they lived with, such as going without rations for two days at a time when their supply routes were cut off and carrying packs weighing as much as 100 pounds for several miles. He also talked about how the Viet Cong would booby trap the hills after they left. Stephan believed he was in Vietnam to protect Americans from Communism and the living conditions caused by it.

As we approach our 50 year class reunion, I will make it a point that you will be remembered as our one classmate who gave his life so others may have a taste of freedom. Rest in peace.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Stephan.

On 07 and 10 Sep 1967 the men of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, fought two bitter battles along the main supply route between Cam Lo and Con Thien, just below the Demilitarized Zone. At least 56 Marines and sailors died in the fighting.

The fight on 07 Sep 1967 took place in and around a churchyard and cost the lives of no less than 20 Americans:

C Btry, 1st Bn, 13th Marines
2ndLt Charles E. Ryberg, Jackson, MN (Forward Observer with India 3/26)

H&S Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
LCpl Dennis H. Marshall, Lisbon, NH
Sgt Roy D. O'Neal, Gahanna, OH
HM2 Frank E. Robinson, Houston, TX

I Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
LCpl James M. Daniels, Wichita, KS
LCpl Eddie D. Hamm, Nashville, TN
Sgt Bruce H. Krage, Minnesota City, MN
LCpl Gary W. Lindsay, Grand Forks, ND
LCpl Stephan J. Nelson, Princeton, MN
LCpl Robert R. Rogers, Gillette, WY

K Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
Sgt Larry V. Flora, Hilliard, OH
LCpl Donald L. Graves, Rochester, NY
Cpl James E. Lewis, Tiverton, RI
Pfc Benito Morales, New Braunfels, TX
LCpl Samuel L. Parker, Columbus, OH
Pfc James H. Stuart, Turner, OR
Cpl Robert M. Warren, Pen Argyl, PA

M Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
1stLt John P. Manzi, Millbrook, NY