Hugh R. Nelson Jr.

Shielding a wounded crewman after a helicopter crash

Hugh Reavis Nelson Jr. received the Medal of Honor for saving fellow helicopter crew members in Vietnam. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on July 11, 1937, he graduated from Durham High School in 1955 and The Citadel in 1959. He married in July 1959 and became the father of three children. His Army service included a posting to Taiwan before Vietnam, where he served as a captain in the 114th Aviation Company.

On June 5, 1966, near Moc Hoa, enemy fire badly damaged the armed Huey he commanded. Nelson and the pilot managed to crash-land. Nelson removed the wounded crew chief, then freed the trapped door gunner despite close enemy fire. After being hit, he shielded the gunner with his body and was killed. His sacrifice allowed the survivor to signal supporting aircraft, which rescued the three wounded crew members.

Nelson was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. presented his posthumous Medal of Honor at the White House on January 3, 2025. His award commemorates his determination to rescue and protect his crew.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Captain Hugh R. Nelson, Jr., distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light) on June 5, 1966 near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Nelson was the acting Aircraft Commander of an armed Huey helicopter on a search and destroy reconnaissance mission when it was struck by a large volume of enemy fire that rendered the aircraft virtually uncontrollable. With great difficulty, Captain Nelson and the pilot were able to crash land the aircraft without lateral controls. At some point after the crash, Captain Nelson exited the aircraft and went to the aid of his wounded comrades. Proceeding to the other side of the aircraft, he found his dazed and wounded crew chief still trapped inside. After removing the specialist and placing him on the ground, Captain Nelson climbed into the severely damaged helicopter to assist the door gunner who was still strapped inside and unable to move. While Captain Nelson tried to free his comrade, the insurgents engaged the aircraft with a heavy volume of automatic rifle and small arms fire at a range of approximately thirty feet from the aircraft. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Captain Nelson continued his gallant efforts, freeing the trapped door gunner despite being hit by enemy fire. Upon removing the wounded door gunner from the aircraft, he forced the specialist to the ground, and without regard for his own life used his own body as a shield to cover his comrade from the intense enemy fire. While shielding his comrade, Captain Nelson was hit several times by enemy fire, sacrificing his own life to save the life of his comrade. His selfless sacrifice allowed his wounded comrade to use a smoke grenade to signal supporting aircraft in the area that there were crash survivors. The supporting aircraft responded immediately, preventing the insurgents from advancing on the downed aircraft and successfully rescuing the three wounded crew members. Captain Nelson's conscious decision to sacrifice his own life for that of his comrades saved the lives of his three fellow crew members that fateful day. Captain Nelson's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.