MAYPORT, Florida - A 2003 Jamestown High School graduate and Jamestown, New York, native is serving aboard the future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer homeported in Mayport, Florida.
He is also the departmental leading petty officer responsible for three divisions of 55 people, leading junior Sailors and overseeing their welfare, careers, qualifications, and administration – what he says is the most enjoyable part of his job.
“The Navy has some of the bravest, smartest, and strongest people I’ve ever encountered,” said Nelson. “Having a job that involves a personal connection with those under your care is one of the most rewarding experiences I can imagine.”
Thomas Hudner is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface environments.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the US Navy’s most powerful destroyer fleet. These highly-capable, multi-mission ships conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security. Ships like USS Thomas Hudner operate forward in every ocean of the world to keep our Nation secure by meeting threats abroad before they can harm us here at home.
Nelson has carried lessons learned from life in Jamestown into his military service, specifically, showing strength in the face of overwhelming adversity.
“In 2000, I was part of a State Championship winning football team,” Nelson said. “On paper we shouldn’t have been as good as we were, yet we went undefeated. I also learned the value of teamwork, honesty, and pride.”
The Surface Force is focused on providing lethal, ready, well-trained, and logistically supported surface forces to fight today and in the future. The highly professional men and women serving aboard USS Thomas Hudner are some of our nation’s best and brightest, and are typical of the talented Sailors on duty in our Navy around the world today. They are prepared to go into harm’s way, properly trained, and ready to carry out orders in defense of our nation’s freedom.
“Thomas J. Hudner Jr., a naval aviator who retired as a captain, received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman for displaying uncommon valor during an attack on his element leader, the first African American naval aviator to fly in combat, Ensign Jesse L. Brown,” said Cmdr. Nathan W. Scherry, the ship’s commanding officer. “On May 7, 2012, Secretary of the Navy Mabus announced that DDG 116 would be named in Captain Hudner's honor. Today, as the Navy's finest 300 Sailors crew the 66th Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, they do so with a tremendous amount of honor, pride, and sense of duty. We are extremely honored to be able to carry Captain Hudner's values and legacy forward so that they are never forgotten. We are proud to be able to carry out our missions in defense of our country's freedom and values, and humbled to be part of the Hudner family.”
Nelson’s family has military ties and he is honored to carry on the tradition of service.
“My Uncle Sam Angilella was in the Navy, my Uncle Pat Landy was in the Army, my Uncle Steve Nelson was in the Army and my Great Uncle Jerry Bondi was in the Air Force.”
Nelson’s proudest accomplishment was being named USS Thomas Hudner’s Sailor of the Year.
“I’ve never gone to work expecting a reward or recognition. I go to work to do my job and serve my Nation and Sailors,” Nelson said. “When it was announced that I was Sailor of the Year, it was a major shock to me since I competed against so many phenomenal people. I hope that by me holding the title, I can show those around me that through hard work and dedication, success is possible.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech and lethal surface combatant ships, Nelson and other Thomas Hudner Sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team.
“It’s my dream job,” Nelson said. “To do something on a daily basis that is both incredibly cool and incredibly important is amazing. It never truly hit me how important it was until my oldest son sent me a picture he drew of me and other Sailors on a boat fighting ‘the bad guys’. He is very proud and excited about what I do. It makes every sacrifice 100% worthwhile.”
Thomas Hudner is the 66th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and the 36th DDG 51 class destroyer built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW). It is the first warship named for U.S. Navy Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.
On Dec. 4, 1950, then Lt. j.g.Thomas Hudner and his element leader, Ensign Jesse L. Brown were among a group of six pilots on patrol near the Chosin Reservoir when Brown's F4U Corsair was struck by ground fire from Chinese troops and crashed. In an attempt to save Brown from his burning aircraft, Hudner intentionally crash-landed his own aircraft on a snowy mountain in freezing temperatures to help Brown. In spite of these efforts, Brown died of his injuries and Hudner was forced to evacuate, having also been injured in the landing. Hudner received the Medal of Honor for his actions in trying to save the life of his element leader, shipmate, and friend during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War.
The warship will be officially placed into active service at a December 1 commissioning ceremony in Boston, the nearest harbor to the hometown of its heroic namesake, Fall River, Massachusetts - a fitting tribute to an American hero. The ceremony includes “bringing the ship to life” and other orders rooted in centuries old naval tradition.
For information about the commissioning ceremony, visit https://www.usshudnerddg116.org/.