Otto L. Nelson Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otto L. Nelson Jr.
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_at_West_Point_in_1924.png)
At West Point in 1924
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Otto Lauren Nelson Jr.
November 2, 1902 Omaha, Nebraska
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| Died | June 25, 1985 (aged 82) New Rochelle, New York
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| Burial place | Arlington National Cemetery |
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| Occupation | Military officer, insurance executive |
Otto Lauren Nelson Jr. (born November 2, 1902 – died June 25, 1985) was an important officer in the United States Army. He was known for his work during World War II and for helping to organize the Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Otto L. Nelson Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 2, 1902. His parents were immigrants from Sweden.
He went to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. This is a famous school for training Army officers. He graduated from West Point in 1924. After graduating, he joined the Infantry branch of the Army.
Otto Nelson loved learning. In 1932, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. He also studied at the Command and General Staff School, finishing in 1938. Then, in 1939, he earned a Ph.D. degree from Harvard.
Teaching and Military Career
Before World War II, Nelson taught at West Point. He was a history and economics instructor there from 1929 to 1935. He returned to teach again from 1938 to 1941.
Nelson's Role in World War II
During World War II, Otto Nelson was a key member of the Army General Staff. This group helps plan and manage the entire Army. He helped change how the Army was set up at the start of the war. He also helped reorganize it again when the war ended.
Nelson wrote a book about these changes and the history of the Army General Staff. It was called National Security and the General Staff. He published it in 1946.
He became a major general on November 13, 1944. He held this high rank until May 31, 1946.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving the Army, Otto Nelson worked as an executive. He joined the New York Life Insurance Company.
Later in his life, he lived in Alexandria, Virginia. Otto L. Nelson Jr. passed away on June 25, 1985, in New Rochelle, New York. He was there for a golf tournament. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a special place where many military heroes are laid to rest.
