Andrew H. Nelson
Private First Class, U.S. Army
March 31, 1987 – December 25, 2006
Age – 19
St. Johns, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
9th Engineering Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany
Killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while conducting combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq
Pfc. Andrew H. Nelson of Saint Johns, Michigan was a 2005 graduate of Saint Johns High School and was a member of the Redwing Swim Team and a Captain of the team his senior year. Andrew had wanted to be a soldier since he was a kid. . Andrew was a 2005 graduate of St. Johns High School and was a standout swimmer on the team. He started swimming for the St. Johns Sea Lions when was nine years old.
By the time he was 14, he had earned many awards and medals during his time in the Sea Lions, including “Most Improved”, “101% Award”, and the 13-14 Year Old Boys “Swimmer of the Year” Award. Andrew also swam all four years in high school. He was a four year Varsity Letter Winner and was the Captain of the Swim Team his senior year. He earned numerous medals and awards in high school including 2002 MISCA Greater Lansing All Area Swimming and Diving Team “Honorable Mention”, 2004 MISCA Zone 7 All Zone Team “Honorable Mention”, and 2005 MISCA Zone 7 All Zone Team “2nd Team”. Andrew qualified for the State Championship as an alternate his freshman year, and qualified for the State Championship in his individual events in his sophomore, junior and senior years.
He enlisted in the Army at the beginning of his senior year and was called to active duty August 2006. On November 5, 2005 he married his high school sweetheart. He died at age 19 of wounds sustained Dec. 25 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad.
On Christmas Day 2006 St. Johns lost their own “Hometown Hero”. PFC Andrew H. Nelson stationed in Baghdad had volunteered to be the lead driver for a mission called “Dagger Iron Claw Clearance”, it was considered to be one of the most important jobs in this mission. At 3:45pm Michigan time, 11:45pm Baghdad time, an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near his vehicle, killing Andrew instantly, and also killing two of his fellow Soldiers.
His wife said he was a very courageous man and very proud of what he was doing that words cannot express.
He wanted to do this ever since he was a young boy and he felt he should do his part for living in America. He told me many things that really touched my heart about him in the military.
Just to share one that he shared with me before he deployed. He told me ” Baby, don’t worry I am coming home to you, no matter what. But I have to go because I have to relieve those other soldiers who have been over there for their year tour and it’s now my turn to take over.”
He was just such an amazing person and soldier. I could probably go on about him for days and days. He did what he loved and I know that he was EXTREMELY happy doing his job.
He was my whole world and I miss him more than anyone will ever know but the thing that helps me most is knowing how much he loved being an American Soldier. He died along side 2 of his brothers SPC Aaron L. Preston and SGT John T. Bubeck. May they find peace in heaven and may God rest their souls.