Carl D. Nilsen of Apple Valley, passed away at home
on Oct. 24th, 2011.
Carl was born in L.A., CA. Carl is survived by his loving wife of 63
years Billie; sons, Don and Gary; daughter Sharon; sister Lois; 8
grandchildren & 9 great grandchildren.
Carl proudly served his country in WWII as an infantryman with "E"
Co. 508th; PIR of the famed 82nd Airborne Regiment. He made
parachute jumps into Normandy on D-Day, and in Holland. During
combat in the Battle of the Bulge, he earned his Purple Heart and
Bronze Star.
Carl enjoyed travel, camping and RV'ing all over the country. He was
a lover of history and enjoyed visiting all of the Civil War sites.
He had an inquisitive mind and never stopped learning. Carl was a
devoted and loving family man whom his grandchildren referred to as
their "hero and role model." His wit, kindness and caring nature
will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Carl was buried at Riverside National Cemetery on Oct. 31st, which
would have been his 88th birthday.
[Published in the Daily Press from November 10
to November 20, 2011] |
[courtesy of "CRob"]
Carl enlisted in the
Army at Los Angeles, CA on 27 October 1942 and was assigned to
Company E, 508th PIR.
His rank had increased to
Pfc by November 1943 and he was appointed to Cpl on 21 July 1944.
On 9 January 1945 he
was hospitalized as a non-battle casualty, possibly due to
frostbite. He returned to duty on 31 March 1945.
His decorations
include the Bronze Service Arrowhead device awarded for
participation in the Normandy assault, |
