St. Johns man died while serving in Baghdad
State Rep. Tom Leonard today introduced legislation to name a portion of Business Route U.S. 127 in Clinton County in honor of a St. Johns man who died on Christmas Day 2006 during a military mission in Iraq.
Rep. Leonard, R-DeWitt, introduced House Bill 4874, which names the section of the highway between West Walker Road south to East Townsend Road the “PFC Andrew H. Nelson Memorial Highway.”
Nelson, a St. Johns native, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 and went to basic training shortly after graduating from high school. He volunteered to drive the lead vehicle for a Christmas Day 2006 mission through Baghdad called Dagger Iron Claw Route Clearance. An improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, killing Nelson and two fellow soldiers.
“Honoring PFC Nelson with this portion of highway is the very least we can do for a young man who gave his life in the line of duty,” Rep. Leonard said. “He is truly a hometown hero who touched the lives of many other people in his 19 years, and has been dearly missed by his wife Kristi, his parents, his siblings and his many friends.”
PFC Nelson was decorated with the Purple Heart, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star, the Army Combat Badge and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He was the son of Alan and Tami Nelson, and the brother of Jessica and Stephanie Nelson.