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Date published: 11/6/2008
Jack W. Nielsen
Retired U.S. Army Col. Jack W. Nielsen, 84, of Lake of the Woods passed away at his home on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. Col. Nielsen enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served with the 2nd Armored Division (Hell on Wheels) through five campaigns in the European Theatre. He was wounded in October 1944, during the battle of Sigfried Line. He returned to the University of Cincinnati, and then was commissioned in the Army in 1949, and served on the East-West border in Europe during the Korean War. He returned to Europe during the Berlin Crisis and commanded a squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment during 1963-1964. He subsequently commanded the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry (Blackhorse) in South Vietnam during 1968. After duty in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, he commanded the 1st Armor Training Brigade at Fort Knox, Ky., from 1970 to 1972. Col. Nielsen was a graduate of the Army Command & Staff College and the National War College. He earned a baccalaureate from the University of Cincinnati and a master's degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. His military decorations included the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, and foreign decorations from France, Belgium, and the Republic of South Vietnam. Col. Nielsen is survived by his loving wife, Jane, of 60 years; four daughters, Patti and her husband, Howard, Karen and her husband, Barry, Janet and her husband, Norm, and Beverly and her husband, George; and seven grandchildren. Col. and Mrs. Nielsen were longtime members of the Army/Navy Country Club in Alexandria. They had resided at Lake of the Woods, his heaven on earth, since 1987. Mrs. Nielsen will remain at Lake of the Woods. A visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, Locust Grove, with a funeral at 4 p.m. The Rev. Amos Healey will officiate. A private interment will be held Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Rest Haven Memorial Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Rapidan, 1200 Sunset Lane, Culpeper, Va. 22701; or to Lake of the Woods Fire & Rescue, 104 Lakeview Parkway, Locust Grove, Va. 22508.
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