Nels Herning Nelson (April 5, 1903 – April 25, 1973) was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of several expeditionary tours and World War II, Nelson gained reputation as one of the Corps' top experts in communications. Early years Nels H. Nelson was born on April 5, 1903, in Irene, South Dakota, as the son of Jens Nelson and Anna Christensen. Following a graduation from the high school in summer of 1921, he enrolled the Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. Nelson completed one year there, before received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1922. During his time at the academy, he was nicknamed "Lord Nelson" by his classmates and was active in track and field. Many of his classmates became general officers later: Edward W. Snedeker, Thomas A. Wornham, Arthur H. Butler, Roy M. Gulick, Russell N. Jordahl, Kenneth W. Benner, Elmer H. Salzman, Hartnoll J. Withers, James S. Russell, Laurence H. Frost, C. Wade McClusky, Robert B. Pirie, Charles L. Carpenter, Tom Hamilton or Henry C. Bruton. Nelson graduated on June 3, 1926, with bachelor's degree and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He was subsequently ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for basic officer training, which he completed in February 1927. Nelson then served with Marine Barracks at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut and Marine Barracks at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, before sailed for expeditionary duty to China. He returned to the United States in early 1929 and embarked for Nicaragua in April of that year. Nelson served with 2nd Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Dion Williams until June 1930, when he was ordered back to the United States and for duty at Marine Barracks, New York Navy Yard. In August 1931, Nelson was transferred to the Army Signal School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he completed the signal course in June of the following year. He was subsequently stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., and Marine Corps Base San Diego, before he embarked for Haiti in May 1933. Nelson was attached to the staff of 1st Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Louis M. Little. He was stationed at Port-au-Prince and served simultaneously as Brigade Signal Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Haitian government radio, telephone and international communications