Nelson, Robert Kolden, ENS

ENS Nelson was a member of VF-20 aboard the USS Enterprise. His plane was shot down on November 19, 1944. His body was not recovered and he was later declared dead.

Service number: 305688

Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 046 (January 31, 1945)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Robert Kolden Nelson (NSN: 0-305688), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Fearless and determined under a terrific barrage from Japanese guns as he launched a daring attach against an enemy Fleet Task Group, Ensign Nelson plunged through a fierce hail of anti-aircraft fire to press home his relentless thrusts and, fighting his plane gallantly, succeeded in scoring a direct bomb hit on a light cruiser. By his superb airmanship and indomitable courage in the face of formidable odds, Ensign Nelson contributed materially to the accomplishment of his squadron's mission and thereby to the ultimate success of our aerial offensive in this vital theater of war. His unswerving devotion to duty throughout this and numerous other hazardous operations was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.