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Machinist's Mate First Class · U.S. Navy

Oscar Frederick Nelson

Machinist's Mate First Class Oscar Frederick Nelson, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 21, 1905 at San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California (Interim 1899–1910).

Interim 1899 - 1910 July 21, 1905

Machinist's Mate First Class Oscar Frederick Nelson, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 21, 1905 at San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Bennington. Nelson was 23 years old.

10 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Nelson was born on November 5, 1881 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. His Medal of Honor is credited to Minnesota. Nelson died on September 26, 1951, at the age of 69. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His medal is held by Veterans' Memorial Hall, Duluth, MN.

★ Fire & Explosions at Sea

Official Medal of Honor citation

Serving on board the U.S.S. Bennington, for extraordinary heroism displayed at the time of the explosion of a boiler of that vessel at San Diego, Cal., 21 July 1905.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Places

  • Born: Denmark — map
  • Buried: Fort Snelling National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Minnesota →

Timeline

  1. November 5, 1881
    Born in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
  2. July 21, 1905
    Act of valor — San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California
    Age 23. U.S.S. Bennington
  3. September 26, 1951
    Died
    Age 69.
  4. Resting place
    Fort Snelling National Cemetery
    Minneapolis, Minnesota

Biography

Oscar Frederick Nelson (November 5, 1881 – September 26, 1951) was a machinist's mate first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Oscar Frederick Nelson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on July 21, 1905

Edward William Boers Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 GB George F. Brock Carpenter's Mate Second Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 JC John Joseph Clausey Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 WC William S. (Willie) Cronan Boatswain's Mate · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 RD Raymond Erwin Davis Quartermaster Third Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 EF Emil Fredericksen Watertender · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 RG Rade Grbitch Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 FH Frank Ebenezer Hill Ship's Cook First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 Otto Diller Schmidt Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 WS William Sidney Shacklette Hospital Steward · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.