Citadel graduate, killed saving his crew in Vietnam, honored with Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON (WCBD) – A Citadel graduate who was killed in action while saving his crew members during the Vietnam War posthumously received the nation’s highest military honor Friday.

President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to seven U.S. Army soldiers including Citadel class of 1959 graduate Capt. Hugh R. Nelson, Jr. at 5 p.m. in the East Room of the White House.

Capt. Nelson’s daughter, Debra Nelson McKnight, accepted the honor on his behalf. He is the first graduate of the military college to receive the honor.

Before the fateful battle in which Nelson sacrificed his life to save his fellow soldiers, he served three years in Taiwan.

“Captain Hugh R. Nelson, Jr. will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for acts of 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,” White House officials said in a statement.

THE BATTLE | June 5, 1966

28-year-old Capt. Nelson was commanding an armed Huey helicopter for a search-and-destroy reconnaissance mission when several rounds of enemy gunfire hit the Huey.

Due to the severe damage inflicted, Nelson and his fellow pilot crash-landed the aircraft in enemy territory. All weapons were destroyed in the crash, according to the White House.

Ignoring his wounds, Nelson then exited the aircraft to help his three wounded crewmates – two specialists and a pilot.

After managing to remove his injured crew chief from the damaged Huey, Nelson returned to the aircraft to free the door gunner, who was still strapped inside. That is when insurgents rained gunfire approximately thirty feet away, striking Nelson, an Army profile of the battle states.

Nelson persisted, freeing the trapped gunner before throwing the specialist to the ground and using his own body as a shield against the enemy fire. He was hit several times while acting as a shield.

Because of Capt. Nelson’s sacrifice, his wounded companion, was able to send up a smoke grenade, signaling for backup. Support responded immediately and evacuated the wounded crew along with Nelson’s remains, officials said.

“Captain Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr. exemplified the highest values of courage, selflessness, and leadership that we instill in every Citadel cadet. Nelson’s service to his comrades and country remains an enduring inspiration for us all. We will continue to honor his legacy with deep gratitude and unwavering pride and are proud to acknowledge him, not only as a Citadel graduate but now also as a Medal of Honor recipient,” said The Citadel President Gen. Glenn Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79.

The Rocky Mount, NC native previously received the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross.

Two service members who attended The Citadel but did not graduate have also been awarded the Medal of Honor, the institution said.

Sgt. First Class Christopher A. Celiz, from Summerville, attended The Citadel for three years before becoming a combat engineer in the U.S. Army. On July 12, 2018, he was killed by enemy fire while evacuating injured crew members in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Celiz was posthumously awarded by President Biden on Dec. 16, 2021.

Brig. Gen. John Thomas Kennedy was severely wounded after fighting against insurgents in the mouth of a cave during the Philippine Insurrection in 1909. He studied at The Citadel for a year before moving to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

2nd Lt. Kennedy was awarded by President William Taft on Nov. 23, 1912.