Swart Harris Nelson was born on May 4, 1922, in London, Kimble County, Texas. He was the son of William Rufus "Rufe" Nelson and his wife Velma Verna Wimberley. Both his parents were native Texans. His mother's family had long lived in Hays County, Texas. (Velma had been married once before and had another son Louis Alfred Click who was eight years older than Swart. Swart and Louis remained close until Louis's death in 2001.)
By 1930 William and Velma and their seven-year-old son Swart had moved to Heard, Maricopa County, Arizona. (Velma's other son had also moved to Arizona and was living with his father in Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona.) William supported Velma and Swart by working as a lettuce farmer. Swart left behind his Texas roots and his childhood first name.of Swart. He graduated from Arizona State University and, when asked, stated that he was a native of Phoenix, Arizona. When he was just starting school, he told his mother that he wanted to be called "Bill" rather than "Swart" which was the name of a family friend. When he was older, Swart was called "Nellie" as a variation of "Nelson." Whenever, he signed his name to a legal document, he used "S. H. Nelson."
When he was old enough, Nelson enlisted in the United States Air Force and quickly rose through the ranks. He saw active duty during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In the March 1961 issue of the Air Force Magazine, reporter Ed Mack Mitter wrote an article entitled "This Trainer Can Go, Go, Go." In the article Nelson was described as a high-time test pilot of the Northrop T-38 Talon at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The T-38 was America's first supersonic jet. Nelson was described in the article as "a native of Phoenix who's been an engineering test pilot for the Air Force at Edwards since 1955. He is now Operations Officer." Nelson's photo is part of the article.
In March 1961 Nelson was sent to Pakistan by the U. S. Army to supervise the transfer of twelve F104 Starfighters to the Pakistan Air Force under a SEATO agreement. The aircraft were driven into Pakistan at night on transports with a pilot seated in each aircraft in case of an emergency. Nelson stayed in Pakistan to ensure their Air Force pilots were qualified on the F104. He also served as a consultant for the government of Taiwan.
In November 1966 Nelson again received notice when he was interviewed by a reporter named Fred S. Hoffman. Hoffman was a passenger in a F1000F Supersabre piloted by Nelson during a Special Forces bombing mission over a South Vietnam village. Hoffman's account of Nelson's bravery and expertise as a pilot was reported in newspapers through the United States. He and three of his fellow Special Forces pilots appear in a photo in the book Special Forces at War: An Illustrated History of South East Asia, 1957-1975 by Shelby L. Stanton. Nelson also is mentioned the book Mission to March 2: A Fighter Pilot's Memoir of Supersonic Flight by Robert E. Haney and Lee Courtnage.
Serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam left little time for Nelson to have a personal life. His first marriage to Marjorie Nelson ended in divorce. John and James "Jim," their two sons, were adopted by their step-father James "Jim" Preston Ollerton. The two young men grew up in Eloy, Arizona.
When he was 31, on August 2, 1953, Nelson married for the second time. His wife was Frances Marguerite "Peg" Quilleash, the daughter of Elmer B. Quilleash and Otie Louise "Louise" Reed Quilleash. Nelson and Marguerite had three children--Susan, Leslie and Nancy. Sadly, this marriage also ended in divorce in 1967.
Nelson married a third time in 1968 or 1969. His wife was Marily LaRue "LaRue" Norman. She was the daughter of Mallie M. Norman, Sr., and Ida Beatrice Cornell. Her family had long lived in Colquitt County, Georgia.
In 1968 Nelson retired from the Air Force. He and his wife LaRue developed and operated a cattle ranch in Paraguay, South America, living there until 1977. They then moved to LaRue's hometown of Moultrie, Georgia. Nelson died at the age of 82 at his residence in Moultrie. He was buried in the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery where many of his wife's ancestors had been buried.
By 1930 William and Velma and their seven-year-old son Swart had moved to Heard, Maricopa County, Arizona. (Velma's other son had also moved to Arizona and was living with his father in Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona.) William supported Velma and Swart by working as a lettuce farmer. Swart left behind his Texas roots and his childhood first name.of Swart. He graduated from Arizona State University and, when asked, stated that he was a native of Phoenix, Arizona. When he was just starting school, he told his mother that he wanted to be called "Bill" rather than "Swart" which was the name of a family friend. When he was older, Swart was called "Nellie" as a variation of "Nelson." Whenever, he signed his name to a legal document, he used "S. H. Nelson."
When he was old enough, Nelson enlisted in the United States Air Force and quickly rose through the ranks. He saw active duty during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In the March 1961 issue of the Air Force Magazine, reporter Ed Mack Mitter wrote an article entitled "This Trainer Can Go, Go, Go." In the article Nelson was described as a high-time test pilot of the Northrop T-38 Talon at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The T-38 was America's first supersonic jet. Nelson was described in the article as "a native of Phoenix who's been an engineering test pilot for the Air Force at Edwards since 1955. He is now Operations Officer." Nelson's photo is part of the article.
In March 1961 Nelson was sent to Pakistan by the U. S. Army to supervise the transfer of twelve F104 Starfighters to the Pakistan Air Force under a SEATO agreement. The aircraft were driven into Pakistan at night on transports with a pilot seated in each aircraft in case of an emergency. Nelson stayed in Pakistan to ensure their Air Force pilots were qualified on the F104. He also served as a consultant for the government of Taiwan.
In November 1966 Nelson again received notice when he was interviewed by a reporter named Fred S. Hoffman. Hoffman was a passenger in a F1000F Supersabre piloted by Nelson during a Special Forces bombing mission over a South Vietnam village. Hoffman's account of Nelson's bravery and expertise as a pilot was reported in newspapers through the United States. He and three of his fellow Special Forces pilots appear in a photo in the book Special Forces at War: An Illustrated History of South East Asia, 1957-1975 by Shelby L. Stanton. Nelson also is mentioned the book Mission to March 2: A Fighter Pilot's Memoir of Supersonic Flight by Robert E. Haney and Lee Courtnage.
Serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam left little time for Nelson to have a personal life. His first marriage to Marjorie Nelson ended in divorce. John and James "Jim," their two sons, were adopted by their step-father James "Jim" Preston Ollerton. The two young men grew up in Eloy, Arizona.
When he was 31, on August 2, 1953, Nelson married for the second time. His wife was Frances Marguerite "Peg" Quilleash, the daughter of Elmer B. Quilleash and Otie Louise "Louise" Reed Quilleash. Nelson and Marguerite had three children--Susan, Leslie and Nancy. Sadly, this marriage also ended in divorce in 1967.
Nelson married a third time in 1968 or 1969. His wife was Marily LaRue "LaRue" Norman. She was the daughter of Mallie M. Norman, Sr., and Ida Beatrice Cornell. Her family had long lived in Colquitt County, Georgia.
In 1968 Nelson retired from the Air Force. He and his wife LaRue developed and operated a cattle ranch in Paraguay, South America, living there until 1977. They then moved to LaRue's hometown of Moultrie, Georgia. Nelson died at the age of 82 at his residence in Moultrie. He was buried in the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery where many of his wife's ancestors had been buried.
Swart Harris Nelson was born on May 4, 1922, in London, Kimble County, Texas. He was the son of William Rufus "Rufe" Nelson and his wife Velma Verna Wimberley. Both his parents were native Texans. His mother's family had long lived in Hays County, Texas. (Velma had been married once before and had another son Louis Alfred Click who was eight years older than Swart. Swart and Louis remained close until Louis's death in 2001.)
By 1930 William and Velma and their seven-year-old son Swart had moved to Heard, Maricopa County, Arizona. (Velma's other son had also moved to Arizona and was living with his father in Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona.) William supported Velma and Swart by working as a lettuce farmer. Swart left behind his Texas roots and his childhood first name.of Swart. He graduated from Arizona State University and, when asked, stated that he was a native of Phoenix, Arizona. When he was just starting school, he told his mother that he wanted to be called "Bill" rather than "Swart" which was the name of a family friend. When he was older, Swart was called "Nellie" as a variation of "Nelson." Whenever, he signed his name to a legal document, he used "S. H. Nelson."
When he was old enough, Nelson enlisted in the United States Air Force and quickly rose through the ranks. He saw active duty during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In the March 1961 issue of the Air Force Magazine, reporter Ed Mack Mitter wrote an article entitled "This Trainer Can Go, Go, Go." In the article Nelson was described as a high-time test pilot of the Northrop T-38 Talon at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The T-38 was America's first supersonic jet. Nelson was described in the article as "a native of Phoenix who's been an engineering test pilot for the Air Force at Edwards since 1955. He is now Operations Officer." Nelson's photo is part of the article.
In March 1961 Nelson was sent to Pakistan by the U. S. Army to supervise the transfer of twelve F104 Starfighters to the Pakistan Air Force under a SEATO agreement. The aircraft were driven into Pakistan at night on transports with a pilot seated in each aircraft in case of an emergency. Nelson stayed in Pakistan to ensure their Air Force pilots were qualified on the F104. He also served as a consultant for the government of Taiwan.
In November 1966 Nelson again received notice when he was interviewed by a reporter named Fred S. Hoffman. Hoffman was a passenger in a F1000F Supersabre piloted by Nelson during a Special Forces bombing mission over a South Vietnam village. Hoffman's account of Nelson's bravery and expertise as a pilot was reported in newspapers through the United States. He and three of his fellow Special Forces pilots appear in a photo in the book Special Forces at War: An Illustrated History of South East Asia, 1957-1975 by Shelby L. Stanton. Nelson also is mentioned the book Mission to March 2: A Fighter Pilot's Memoir of Supersonic Flight by Robert E. Haney and Lee Courtnage.
Serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam left little time for Nelson to have a personal life. His first marriage to Marjorie Nelson ended in divorce. John and James "Jim," their two sons, were adopted by their step-father James "Jim" Preston Ollerton. The two young men grew up in Eloy, Arizona.
When he was 31, on August 2, 1953, Nelson married for the second time. His wife was Frances Marguerite "Peg" Quilleash, the daughter of Elmer B. Quilleash and Otie Louise "Louise" Reed Quilleash. Nelson and Marguerite had three children--Susan, Leslie and Nancy. Sadly, this marriage also ended in divorce in 1967.
Nelson married a third time in 1968 or 1969. His wife was Marily LaRue "LaRue" Norman. She was the daughter of Mallie M. Norman, Sr., and Ida Beatrice Cornell. Her family had long lived in Colquitt County, Georgia.
In 1968 Nelson retired from the Air Force. He and his wife LaRue developed and operated a cattle ranch in Paraguay, South America, living there until 1977. They then moved to LaRue's hometown of Moultrie, Georgia. Nelson died at the age of 82 at his residence in Moultrie. He was buried in the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery where many of his wife's ancestors had been buried.
By 1930 William and Velma and their seven-year-old son Swart had moved to Heard, Maricopa County, Arizona. (Velma's other son had also moved to Arizona and was living with his father in Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona.) William supported Velma and Swart by working as a lettuce farmer. Swart left behind his Texas roots and his childhood first name.of Swart. He graduated from Arizona State University and, when asked, stated that he was a native of Phoenix, Arizona. When he was just starting school, he told his mother that he wanted to be called "Bill" rather than "Swart" which was the name of a family friend. When he was older, Swart was called "Nellie" as a variation of "Nelson." Whenever, he signed his name to a legal document, he used "S. H. Nelson."
When he was old enough, Nelson enlisted in the United States Air Force and quickly rose through the ranks. He saw active duty during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In the March 1961 issue of the Air Force Magazine, reporter Ed Mack Mitter wrote an article entitled "This Trainer Can Go, Go, Go." In the article Nelson was described as a high-time test pilot of the Northrop T-38 Talon at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The T-38 was America's first supersonic jet. Nelson was described in the article as "a native of Phoenix who's been an engineering test pilot for the Air Force at Edwards since 1955. He is now Operations Officer." Nelson's photo is part of the article.
In March 1961 Nelson was sent to Pakistan by the U. S. Army to supervise the transfer of twelve F104 Starfighters to the Pakistan Air Force under a SEATO agreement. The aircraft were driven into Pakistan at night on transports with a pilot seated in each aircraft in case of an emergency. Nelson stayed in Pakistan to ensure their Air Force pilots were qualified on the F104. He also served as a consultant for the government of Taiwan.
In November 1966 Nelson again received notice when he was interviewed by a reporter named Fred S. Hoffman. Hoffman was a passenger in a F1000F Supersabre piloted by Nelson during a Special Forces bombing mission over a South Vietnam village. Hoffman's account of Nelson's bravery and expertise as a pilot was reported in newspapers through the United States. He and three of his fellow Special Forces pilots appear in a photo in the book Special Forces at War: An Illustrated History of South East Asia, 1957-1975 by Shelby L. Stanton. Nelson also is mentioned the book Mission to March 2: A Fighter Pilot's Memoir of Supersonic Flight by Robert E. Haney and Lee Courtnage.
Serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam left little time for Nelson to have a personal life. His first marriage to Marjorie Nelson ended in divorce. John and James "Jim," their two sons, were adopted by their step-father James "Jim" Preston Ollerton. The two young men grew up in Eloy, Arizona.
When he was 31, on August 2, 1953, Nelson married for the second time. His wife was Frances Marguerite "Peg" Quilleash, the daughter of Elmer B. Quilleash and Otie Louise "Louise" Reed Quilleash. Nelson and Marguerite had three children--Susan, Leslie and Nancy. Sadly, this marriage also ended in divorce in 1967.
Nelson married a third time in 1968 or 1969. His wife was Marily LaRue "LaRue" Norman. She was the daughter of Mallie M. Norman, Sr., and Ida Beatrice Cornell. Her family had long lived in Colquitt County, Georgia.
In 1968 Nelson retired from the Air Force. He and his wife LaRue developed and operated a cattle ranch in Paraguay, South America, living there until 1977. They then moved to LaRue's hometown of Moultrie, Georgia. Nelson died at the age of 82 at his residence in Moultrie. He was buried in the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery where many of his wife's ancestors had been buried.
Inscription
Swart H Nelson
Lt Col US Air Force
WW II, Korea, Vietnam
Gravesite Details
The funeral home marker at the foot of the grave reads "Bill Nelson".
Family Members
Half Siblings
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