THE WALL OF FACES

Dear LCPL Stephan Joseph Nelson, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Stephan is buried at Glendorado Lutheran Cemetery in Princeton, MN. PH

STEPHAN JOSEPH NELSON
Marine Corps Lance Corporal

Born: October 10, 1948
Died: September 7, 1967

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.
Stephan was killed in Quang Tri in the Republic of Vietnam on Thursday, September 7, 1967, when shrapnel fragments from an enemy shell struck him in the head. Stephan was the first Vietnam war casualty in the Princeton area. His death was very devastating for everyone. He is buried in Glendorado, Minnesota. Stephan is survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Several family members have visited the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial and all attended the dedication of the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The family of Stephan Nelson

From "The Faces Behind the Names," by Don Ward

Semper Fidelis, Marine!

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Stephan Joseph Nelson, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you LCPL Stephan Joseph Nelson, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND