Colonel John G. Nelson

COLONEL JOHN G. NELSON

FACILITY DEDICA TION

18 OCTOBER 1997

Schedule of Events

Arrival of official Party Presentation of Colors

244 CBCS Color Guard.

Invocation - chaplain (lieutenant) Lewis C. Dolan, USN Introduction of official Party and Distinguished Guests

Lieutenant Colonel Michael]. Nugent,

Commander 116th Air Control Squadron Remarks

Major General Raymond. F. Rees

The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard. Remarks

Colonel James M. Herron

Special Assistant to the Operations Director,

Air National Guard. Remarks

The Honorable Mrs. Joan Dukes

Oregon State Senator Remarks

Brigadier General William F. Doctor

Commander, Oregon Air National Guard Remarks

Mrs. Helen Nelson

Wife of Colonel John G. Nelson Reading of Colonel John G. Nelson's Biography

Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, James T. Faull

Former Commander, l I6th Tactical Control Squadron Monument Unveiling official Party Departs Conclusion of Ceremony informal Reception following ceremony

SPECIAL THANKS

Avery special thanks to the Nelson family. Your efforts to be here were above and beyond. Thank youvery much.

Mrs. Glen Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson Jr. and

children Erika & Trevor, Mr. William Nelson

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

116th AIR CONTROL SQUADRON (CRE)

rilea armed forces training center

warrenton, oregon

18 October 1997

MEMORANDUM FOR THOSE PRESENT

FROM: 116ACS/CC

SUBJECT: Welcome to the Facility Dedication

1.Welcome to the dedication of the COL John G. Nelson Facility.

2.What you see before you is the culmination of years of planning.
This facility is a state of the art complex designed to support our
mission. We are very proud of our facility, the unit and our mission.

3.COL John G. Nelson was a pioneer in the use of radar for our
nation's armed forces. He grew through the ranks of the Oregon Air
National Guard and it is fitting we recognize him and his contributions.

MICHAEL J. NUGENT, Lt Col, ORANG Commander

4.The men and women of the 116™air control squadron
welcome you and our honored guests who have joined us here for
this festive event. Have a great time!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER COL James M. Herron

Colonel James M. Herron is the Director of Communications and Computer Systems for the Headquarters, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. In this position, he is responsible for managing Pennsylvania's combat mission support units. In addition, he serves as a long range planner, quality facilitator, and as the chairman of an information systems working group. As a member of the Director's Staff, he is currently performing as a special assistant to the Operations Director at the Air National Guard Bureau.

COL Herron was born in Washington, Penn. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the Pennsylvania State University. He joined the Air National Guard in 1966 and completed the USAF Officers Training School as a distinguished graduate, receiving his commission November 1967. He graduated from Weapons Controller training in February 1968. He has completed Air Ground Operations School, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College and the National Security Management Course.

In 1968, COL Herron was assigned to the operations section of the 112th Tactical Control Squadron. He served as an instructor weapons controller and held the positions of weapons assignment officer, senior director, operations training officer, communications officer and operations officer. In 1979, COL Herron was appointed commander.

During his tenure, COL Herron led the 112th to become the first Air National Guard RADAR unit to perform back-to-back deployments in Denmark and Italy in 1983. They were also the first to deploy to Turkey in 1988, and northern Portugal in 1991.

COL Herron was instrumental in the establishment of the 114th Air Traffic Control Flight in Pennsylvania. He also served as the action officer at National Guard Bureau - XOO (Operations Branch) on several occasions and was responsible for the 1986 manpower study which became the basis for the addition of full-time personnel for the entire Air National Guard Tactical Air Control Squadron system. During 1991, he served as the Air National Guard Tactical Air Control Squadron Advisor to the Commander, Headquarters Tactical Air Command. COL Herron also participated and managed numerous counter-narcotics deployments. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in June 1993.

His military awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal;; Air Force Commendation Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Air Force Training Ribbon; Pennsylvania Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters; Pennsylvania 20 Year Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Pennsylvania Thomas White Medal and Pennsylvania Thomas Stewart Medal.

COL Herron serves on the board of the State College Federal Credit Union, and on the Delta Theta Sigma fraternity alumni board. He is a life member of the Air Force Association and is a member of the National Guard Association of the United States.

He resides in State College, Penn with his wife, Edith and their children Deborah and David.

COLONEL JOHN G. NELSON

Colonel John G. Nelson was born in Centralia, Wash., graduated from Lincoln High School, Portland, Oregon and attended the University of Portland and the University of Oregon. He launched

his long and distinguished military career shortly after his country's entry into World War II.

In July 1942 he joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps to enter the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) Program. Upon completion of this course in November 1942, he was called to active duty in the Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant, glider pilot trainee. Due to his abilities and prowess, he was selected for a commissioning program and attended Officer Candidate School (OCS), graduating October 1943 as a Second Lieutenant. While attending OCS, Col. Nelson held the position of Cadet Squadron Commander and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. After OCS he attended the Air Force School of Applied Tactics at Orlando, Fla., graduating as an Aircraft Controller in December 1943. Col. Nelson was posted to the Pacific Theater of Operations and controlled aircraft through several major World War II campaigns. He served in this capacity with the 13th Air Force, South Pacific Theater, for 23 months. At war's end, Col. Nelson was assigned to the San Francisco Control Center. He separated from active duty in January 1947.

Col. Nelson began his service with the Oregon Air National Guard (ANG) in July 1947 when he joined the 142nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (ACWS). He served with the 142nd ACWS as an aircraft controller until he was called to active duty with the squadron for the Korean War. Col. Nelson was assigned as the commander of the U.S. Air Force's Alaskan Air Command Radar Station at Galena, Alaska, in May 1951. He completed a one-year remote tour, left Alaska in June 1952 and was assigned as the Operations Officer of the 775th ACWS, 28th Air Division, Cambria, Calif. After serving 21 months on active duty, Col. Nelson returned to the Oregon Air National Guard in March 1953 as Commander of the 142nd ACWS. In October 1960, the 142nd ACWS was assigned a new mission and a new name - the 142nd Mobile Communications Squadron. Col. Nelson continued to command the squadron until February 1968 when he assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Staff, Oregon Air National Guard. From December 1969 to June of 1971, Col. Nelson was reassigned to the Air Force Reserve serving in various capacities. Col. Nelson re-joined the Oregon Air National Guard in June 1971 as the Commander of the newly formed 153rd Tactical Control Group, Portland, Ore.

In November 1973, Col. Nelson retired with more than 30 years of distinguished military service. He was a pioneer in the field of radar control of fighter aircraft, a founding member of the Oregon ANG, and a leader of one of

the first radar units to be assigned to the Air National Guard. The first ANG squadron he commanded lives on today as the 116th Air Control Squadron (ACS), Oregon Air National Guard. The 116th ACS training facility at Rilea Armed Forces Training Center, Warrenton, Ore., is dedicated to the memory of Colonel John G. Nelson, a true citizen airman.

•ASSIGNMENTS

1.November 1942 - June 1943, Okmulgee, Florida

2.July 1943 - October 1943, Cadet, AAF OCS, Miami, Florida

3.November 1943 - January 1944, School of Applied Tactics, Miami,
Florida

4.January 1944 - December 1944, Bougainville, Northern Solomans

5.December 1944 - May 1945, various locations, Philippine Islands

6.May 1945 - November 1945, Luzon, Philippine Islands

7.November 1945 - May 1946, Camp Pinedale, Berkely, CA.

8.May 1946 - January 1947, San Francisco Control Group, CA.

9.July 1947 - April 1951,142ACWS, Oregon Air National Guard,
Portland, OR

10.May 1951 - May 1952, Commander, Galena Air Force Station,
Alaska

11.June 1952 - January 1953, 775ACWS, Cambria, California

12.January 1953 - September 1960,142ACWS, ORANG, Portland, OR

13.October 1960 - February 1968,142Mobile Comm Sqdn, OfRANG,
Portland, OR

14.February 1968 - December 1969, Deputy Chief of Staff, Oregon Air
National Guard, Portland, OR

15.January 1970 - June 1971, 9003 Air Reserve Squadron (Recruiting),
Hamilton AFB, CA.

16.June 1971 - November 1973, Commander, 153rd Tactical Control
Group, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland, OR

•MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Presidential Unit Citation (USMC)

Marine Unit Citation

Good Conduct Medal

American Defense Service Medal

American Campaign Medal

Asian - Pacific Campaign Medal w/4 Bronze Stars

(North Solomons, New Guinea, Philippines, Luzon) World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award Armed Forces Reserve Medal Philippine Liberation Ribbon Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Oregon National Guard Exceptional Service Medal

Current Members of the 116th Air Control Squadron

Commander: Director of Operations Chief of Maintenance First Sergeant

SSgtMark L Akerman

SrARobert L. Allen

SSgtDonald M. Bain II

TSgtWilliam R. Bair II

MSgtRobert E. Baker
CMSgt Douglas J. Barnard

MSgtRobert D. Birman
SMSgt Richard B. Booth

SSgtDonald L. Bosell

MSgtGregory L. Bosin

SSgtLoyal G. Bossen

TSgtThomas A. Boucher

MSgtTimothy R. Brickweg

SSgtTimothy P. Buck

SrABrent A. Bunger

SSgtGeorge M. Burd

SSgtMonte S. Caldwell

SSgtMichael C. Carrick

SSgtBuddy L. Casper

TSgtRobert W. Clevenger

SrAJohn S. Clough

TSgtDouglas A. Conrad

A1CScott E. Conrad

SrADamien S. Cox

TSgtDavid C. Dawson

TSgtAnnette D. DeClue

SSgtRandy S. Dickenson

TSgtClinton J. Doyle

MSgtMichael J. Ellis

MSgtLewis D. Fagerberg

TSgtWinston J. Fairbrother

SSgtSteve (NMI) Fetters

TSgtJames G. Fields

SrAAmy D. Flock

SSgtAndrew R. Franklin

SSgtBlake Z. French

Lt ColMichael J. Nugent
Ma] Timothy J. Olson
Maj Theodore J. Lawson

MSgtNicholas (NMI) Douvris

MSgtRichard A. Furniss

SSgtRyan M. Gantt

SSgtBryan S. Garrett

MSgtRoss E. Getchell

SSgtEsteban D. Gonzalez

MSgtLarry R. Goodman

SSgtPaul E. Goodman

SgtEric L. Graham

TSgtGordon Q. Greenland

CaptRobert J. Gregory 111

MSgtGary L. Gudge

A1CMatthew L. Gudge

MSgtRobert A. Harnack

TSgtRichard A. Henry

TSgtDonald J. Hillgaertner

SgtKevin M. Hoagland

SSgtDaniel W. Holmes

TSgtRobert L. Hughes

TSgtJohn C. Jackson

TSgtJerry S. Johnston

SSgtSamantha (NMI) Johnston

TSgtGary B. Kaufman

TSgtRandall J. Kovar

SMSgtDonald L. Kruger

SrAChristopher M. Lacy

MSgtMarc A. Lacy

MSgtLyn S. Large

MSgtRandall H. Lau

SrAEldan Y.H. Lee

MSgtRalph E. Lehman II

MSgtMary E. Lewis

TSgtJonathan (NMI) Littlefield

SMSgtJoanM. Loftis

SSgtAlbert L. Luquette

TSgtGerald L. Maling

MSgtLarry A. Marcus

Current Members of the 116th Air Control Squadron

continued TSgt Scott E. Marlega

SSgtKarl D. Martin

SSgtGeorge H. McMahan

SMSgtLawrence A. Mebus

TSgtGregory S. Medina

SrAPerry G. Miller

TSgtRoy V. Miller III

SMSgtRobertC. Moat

TSgtKeith C. Moes

TSgtBrian J. Mondloch

SSgtRoger D. Morris

TSgtRodney L. Munson

AmnJohn S. Murphy

MajJoel F. Pannebaker

CaptGeorge H. Peden

TSgtJohn R. Peterson

A1CDaniel Z. Philbrook

TSgtArlen R. Phillips

SgtDavid H. Powell

SSgtJared L. Prather

TSgtHoward D. Prink

TSgtKeith L. Ray

SSgtWilliam J. Rogers

SSgtBruce P. Rupp

SgtJohn D. Sampson

TSgtDouglas J. Sauvageau

MSgtDavid B. Schaffer

SgtDonald A. Sergeant

SSgtAaron L.R. Sexton

SSgtCharles B. Shaw

SgtAngelie A. Smith

SrAJeromy J. Smith

SSgtTimothy E. Smith

SSgtAntone J. Spanbauer

TSgtTheodore M. Steffan

MajTimothy D. Strohmeyer

SSgtEdward F. Stutesman

TSgtLucille A. Thornton

TSgtGlenn T. Tollett

MSgtGeorge E. Walling

MSgtJames R. Ward

TSgtThomas J. Welka

TSgtDavid J. White

TSgtScott C. Williams

TSgtLaura L. Wilson

MSgtRusty (NMI)Zile

Past Commanders, 116th Air Control Squadron

June 1991 - December 1995

LTC Thomas P. Jons

June 1984-May 1991

LTC James T. Faull

April 1981 -May 1984

LTC Keith E. Johnson

May 1978-March 1981

COL Daniel M. Duffy

October 1975-ApriM 978

LTC Mark E. Luedtke

November 1974 - September 1975

LTC Donald R. Tonoli

February 1973 - October 1974

COL Benjamin W. Faber

June 1971 - January 1973

COL Joel B. Krausse

Dignitaries on the Platform

Maj Gen Raymond F. Rees Brig Gen William F. Doctor

Col James M. Herron

LtCol Michael J. Nugent Hon Mrs Joan Dukes Mrs. Helen Nelson Lt Col (ret) James T. Faull

Oregon Adjutant General Commander OR Air National Guard Special Assistant to Operations Director Commander, 116ACS Oregon State Senator Wife of Col John G. Nelson Former Commander, 116TCS