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  Emil O. Nelson
Emil O. Nelson was born in Rye, New York August 28, 1899 son of Christine and Peter Nelson. He was raised and educated in Rye and his family lived at 33 Grapal Street. In the 1920's he was a police officer in Rye and in the 1930's was working at Westchester Country Club as a locker man.
Emil enlisted July 28, 1942 and served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He served as a staff Sergeant with the 36th Food Service Squadron, 36th Air Base Group in England.
 The unit active during World War II was the 36th Fighter Group, which was an operational component of the Ninth Air Force in the European Theater. It flew P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers and played a significant role in ground support missions across Western Europe.
World War II Operations
Constituted as the 36th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in 1939, the unit began the war in the Caribbean area and the Panama Canal Zone, flying P-39s and P-40s as a defense and anti-submarine force. The group returned to the United States to train with P-47 Thunderbolts before deploying to England in April 1944.
 Once in the European theater, the "Fightin' 36th" operated primarily as a fighter-bomber group, conducting vital missions in support of Allied ground forces. Key operations and decorations include
 Emil received his honorable discharge June 23, 1945 and returned to Rye.
Emil Nelson, formerly of 33 Grapal Street, died January 9, 1953 in Grasslands Hospital after a long illness. He had lived recently at 15 Robertson Avenue, White Plains.
He was a member of the Disabled American War Veterans, Castle Point Chapter, and the Port Chester Lodge of Elks.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Marie Duffy Nelson; one sister, Marie Nelson, and one brother, Maurice Nelson, both of New York City.
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EMIL NELSON 
