"Nelly" was raised and educated in Knoxville, Illinois graduating from the Knoxville High School in 2003. He briefly attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois before enlisting in the United States Army in his pursuit of opportunities that education alone could not provide. At home, Bryan was a celebrated baseball player in the Abingdon American Legion League. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 233 of Knoxville, Illinois and earned his Eagle Scout Award and numerous related accolades with his project building a freestanding stairway at the former Gilson School. He was active in the scholastic bowl, golf, and PEP Club during his high school years. He led his peers as captain of the baseball team and was twice awarded the MVP and Best Hitter Awards in his regional American Legion League. His love of baseball was rivaled only by his commitment to community service. He joined the United States Army on October 21, 2004. After completing basic training, Specialist Nelson was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) on May 4, 2005. During his 16 months with Charlie Company, Specialist Nelson displayed uncommon drive and enthusiasm as a member of Firing Party Platoon. His platoon leader quickly selected him as the platoon radioman in light of his technical skill and superior physical fitness, and his consistent performance in Arlington National Cemetery earned him a spot on the company's Full-Honors Firing Party. As a member of the Old Guard, he actively participated in more than 200 standard-honor and full-honor funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. He also marched in more than a dozen official ceremonies. Always associating himself with excellence, Specialist Nelson was a member of the winning squad in the 2006 Old Guard Best Squad Competition as well as the 2006 Best Full-Honors Firing Party. Specialist Nelson was a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course and the Air Assault School. He also earned his Expert Infantryman's Badge with a perfect test record. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He is posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his years of exemplary service. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Knoxville, Illinois. Bryan was born the son of Jeff and Christine Hale Nelson. He never married. Surviving are his mother and stepfather, Drs. Christine and Jeff Baumgardner; his father and stepmother, Jeff and Bobbi Nelson, one sister: Elisa Nelson one stepbrother, Jamie Baumgardner and one uncle, Donnie Hale.
"Nelly" was raised and educated in Knoxville, Illinois graduating from the Knoxville High School in 2003. He briefly attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois before enlisting in the United States Army in his pursuit of opportunities that education alone could not provide. At home, Bryan was a celebrated baseball player in the Abingdon American Legion League. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 233 of Knoxville, Illinois and earned his Eagle Scout Award and numerous related accolades with his project building a freestanding stairway at the former Gilson School. He was active in the scholastic bowl, golf, and PEP Club during his high school years. He led his peers as captain of the baseball team and was twice awarded the MVP and Best Hitter Awards in his regional American Legion League. His love of baseball was rivaled only by his commitment to community service. He joined the United States Army on October 21, 2004. After completing basic training, Specialist Nelson was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) on May 4, 2005. During his 16 months with Charlie Company, Specialist Nelson displayed uncommon drive and enthusiasm as a member of Firing Party Platoon. His platoon leader quickly selected him as the platoon radioman in light of his technical skill and superior physical fitness, and his consistent performance in Arlington National Cemetery earned him a spot on the company's Full-Honors Firing Party. As a member of the Old Guard, he actively participated in more than 200 standard-honor and full-honor funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. He also marched in more than a dozen official ceremonies. Always associating himself with excellence, Specialist Nelson was a member of the winning squad in the 2006 Old Guard Best Squad Competition as well as the 2006 Best Full-Honors Firing Party. Specialist Nelson was a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course and the Air Assault School. He also earned his Expert Infantryman's Badge with a perfect test record. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He is posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his years of exemplary service. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Knoxville, Illinois. Bryan was born the son of Jeff and Christine Hale Nelson. He never married. Surviving are his mother and stepfather, Drs. Christine and Jeff Baumgardner; his father and stepmother, Jeff and Bobbi Nelson, one sister: Elisa Nelson one stepbrother, Jamie Baumgardner and one uncle, Donnie Hale.
