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HMH-462 Phu Bai 1968-69
Officer Personnel
Officer Personnel
Commanding Officer Ronald E. Nelson was born in Glendive, Montana on
August 7, 1931. He graduated from the University of Washington in June of 1953 with
a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant. From there he went to Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Virginia and
attended the 24th Special Basic Course. Following completion of this training,
Lieutenant Nelson served with the Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion at Camp Joseph
H. Pendleton, California and served an overseas tour with the First Amphibian Tractor
Battalion in the Far East.
1956 found our Skipper in Hawaii as a ground officer in MAG-13. From there he
entered Flight Training and was designated a Naval Aviator on May 25, 1958. It was
then back to MAG-13 and duty with VMF-232, again in the Far East. A tour with First
ANGLICO was next.
Captain Nelson participated in the Pacific Division Matches in 1961 and was then
transferred to MCAS El Toro, where he flew with VMCJ-1 and VMCJ-3. Helicopter
transition training with HMM-262 was next, followed by a Mediterranean Cruise and
then duty with MAG-26 at New River, North Carolina.
August 7, 1931. He graduated from the University of Washington in June of 1953 with
a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant. From there he went to Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Virginia and
attended the 24th Special Basic Course. Following completion of this training,
Lieutenant Nelson served with the Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion at Camp Joseph
H. Pendleton, California and served an overseas tour with the First Amphibian Tractor
Battalion in the Far East.
1956 found our Skipper in Hawaii as a ground officer in MAG-13. From there he
entered Flight Training and was designated a Naval Aviator on May 25, 1958. It was
then back to MAG-13 and duty with VMF-232, again in the Far East. A tour with First
ANGLICO was next.
Captain Nelson participated in the Pacific Division Matches in 1961 and was then
transferred to MCAS El Toro, where he flew with VMCJ-1 and VMCJ-3. Helicopter
transition training with HMM-262 was next, followed by a Mediterranean Cruise and
then duty with MAG-26 at New River, North Carolina.
It was then back to school for Major Nelson, this time to George Washington University in
Washington D.C. and a Master's Degree in Business Administration. His next duty
assignment was with MAG-56 at MCAF Santa Ana, California, where, on February 1,
1968, Lieutenant Colonel Nelson assumed command of HMH-462 to lead the "Heavy
Haulers" in preparation for deployment to Vietnam.
Washington D.C. and a Master's Degree in Business Administration. His next duty
assignment was with MAG-56 at MCAF Santa Ana, California, where, on February 1,
1968, Lieutenant Colonel Nelson assumed command of HMH-462 to lead the "Heavy
Haulers" in preparation for deployment to Vietnam.
| OFFICERS BY RANK |
| Major David H. Anderson Executive Officer |
| Major Chester L. Whipple Operations Officer |
