African American. Alaska Highway. Company E. Born: 22 August 1921, Glenwood, Crenshaw County, AL. Died: 6 February 1943, Alaska, Death Non Battle. Buried at New Hope Valley Baptist Church Cemetery, Laverne, AL.
His father was Frank Nelson (1899-1961) and his mother was Salutie Anderson (1903-1965).
The 14 February 1943 morning report for Company E reports that T/5 Nelson, K.V. died night of 6 Feb 1943 six miles from camp on Slana Road, froze to death. He was found the next morning. Other sources report that he and a fellow soldier named Smith were walking 30 miles back to camp after their truck got stuck in the ice at Station Creek. The temperature recorded in the morning report was 18 degrees below zero.
Surgeon General reports his disposition as “died in the line of duty due to exposure to extreme cold”.
Serial #34100297