Second Lieutenant Nelson was the co-pilot of U.S. Army Air Corps B-24J Liberator

#44-41155, assigned to the 1390th Base Unit from Dow Field, Bangor, Maine.

The bomber departed Gander, Newfoundland for a cross-Atlantic flight to the Azores.

While attempting to locate Lajes Field, the pilot became confused in the cloud cover and mistook one community on his map for another.

Seeing another B-24 break through the cloud cover, the pilot followed. After both pilots

realized their mistakes, they turned around and tried to find their way back to the

original pattern requested by the control tower. While attempting to navigate to Lajes

Field, both bombers collided with a mountain, four miles southwest of the airfield.

Eight of the ten crew aboard Nelson's ship perished in the initial crash. Two were injured. There was one fatality aboard the other B-24, which skidded along a ridge before coming to a stop.

The airmen killed were:

1st Lt. James C Forney , Pilot

2nd Lt. Albert L Nelson Co-Pilot

2nd Lt. Ernest F Nash Navigator

Sgt. Herbert J Ayer, Jr (died of injuries on a later date) Aerial Gunner

Sgt. Lewis B Buie Radio Operator

Sgt. Jack French Flight Engineer

Cpl. Leonard J Fonseca Gunner

Cpl. Charles R Rawheiser Gunner

Cpl. Harley A Worchel Gunner

~

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, ST. PETERSBURG,

FLORIDA, AUGUST 15, 1944, PAGE TEN

(internet edition):

LT. A.L. NELSON KILLED IN CRASH

Word that their son, Lt. Albert Langdon

Nelson, 21, was killed in the Azores en route

to an overseas post, has been received by

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Nelson Belcher.

The war department message came last Sunday

evening, a little more than three weeks after

Lieutenant Nelson received his wings at

Stuttgart, Ark.

He spent a few days with his parents and

enjoyed a fishing trip shortly before leaving

for overseas duty. The telegram gave no

details of the accident but said a letter

would follow.

A native of Pinellas county, Lieutenant

Nelson was graduated from Largo High School.

He is survived by three sisters, Misses

Kathryn Anne, Patsy and Peggy;

and one brother, Cpl. David Nelson,

New Guinea, besides his parents.

~

Enlisted November 27, 1942; Service ID: O-825954.