Niel E. "Rick" Nelson is a retired United States Marine Corps major general.[1] He took command of the United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa in 2015.[2] His final assignment before his 2018 retirement was as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Combat Development & Integration and Deputy Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.[3][4]
Niel E. Nelson | |
|---|---|
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| Nickname(s) | Rick |
| Born | Fort Knox, Kentucky |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa 3rd Marine Logistics Group United States Marine Corps Training and Education Command 8th Engineer Support Battalion |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal |
Early life and education
editNelson was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He graduated from San Diego State University and was commissioned into the United States Army in May 1984.[3]
Nelson was named a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Army Advanced Engineer Officers School; attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he received a Masters of Military Science; attended the School for Advance Warfighting; and the United States Army War College, where he received a Master of Science in International and Strategic Studies. Nelson also holds a Master of Science in Systems Management and graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College.[3]
Military career
editNelson's promotion to brigadier general was approved by the United States Senate in May 2011.[5] His subsequent promotion to major general was approved in March 2015.[6]
In 2015 Nelson was awarded the de Fleury Medal in a ceremony held in Kabul.[7] His additional military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars; Bronze Star Medal with V Device; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars; Army Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.[3]
Personal life
editNelson is the son of Ronald Andrew Nelson (born 26 July 1933) and Kathleen Ann "Kay" (Butler) Nelson (18 November 1936 – 25 October 2019). He has a sister and two brothers. His father retired from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel and one of his brothers also served in the Marine Corps, retiring as a major.[8][9][10]
References
edit- ^ "6 Marine Corps generals, colonel tapped for promotion". Marinecorpstimes.com. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
- ^ Stars, 19 Aug 2015; Stripes (2015-08-19). "Gen. Nelson Takes Command of Marines in Africa, Europe". Military.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d "Major General Niel E. Nelson" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "MajGen Nelson retirement ceremony". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "PN169 — Marine Corps — 112th Congress (2011–2012)". U.S. Congress. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "PN245 — Marine Corps — 114th Congress (2015–2016)". U.S. Congress. 2015-03-27. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers award U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. with the de Fleury Medal". www.army.mil. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ U.S. Army Register: United States Army Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1965-01-01. p. 394. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "Commanding General Rick Nelson at the Marine Corps Birthday Party in Sun Lakes". Record Gazette. Banning, California. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "Kathleen Ann Nelson". News Mirror. Yucaipa, California. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
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