Robert Theodore Nelson (March 6, 1936 – June 4, 2023) was a vice admiral in the United States Coast Guard who served as the 18th Vice Commandant from 1992 to 1994. He was previously Chief of Staff of the United States Coast Guard, Commanding Officer at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., Commander of the Second Coast Guard District, and Chief of the Office of Navigation Safety and Waterway Services at Coast Guard Headquarters. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1958. He also was an alumnus of George Washington University.[1][2]
Robert T. Nelson | |
|---|---|
_with_Admiral_Allen_at_the_Women_In_Military_Service_For_America_memorial._(3116604255).jpg) Nelson (right) with Thad Allen in 2008 | |
| Born | March 6, 1936 East Liverpool, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 2023 (aged 87) Fairfax Station, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service | United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | c. 1958 – 1994 |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
| Commands | Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard |
His awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star with Combat Device, two Meritorious Service Medals, Coast Guard Commendation and Achievement Medals with Operational Distinguishing Device. He was also authorized to wear the Cutterman's Insignia.[1] Born in East Liverpool, Ohio in 1936, Nelson was married to Patricia May Bennett, originally of Youngstown, Ohio, and had three children, two daughters and a son.[3]
He died in Fairfax Station, Virginia on June 4, 2023.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Biographical Sketch – Vice Admiral Robert T. Nelson" (PDF). U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^ Kenneth Winterberger (October 20, 2011). "Vice Admiral Robert T. Nelson Vice Commandant United States Coast Guard" (PDF). Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ Nomination of Rear Admiral Robert T. Nelson to be Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard: hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, second session, April 8, 1992. Vol. 4. U.S. G.P.O. 1992. ISBN 9780160391163. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ "Death of a Retired Flag Officer and Half Masting of National Ensign". United States Coast Guard. June 28, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.