Looking For The Daughter

Of Thomas J. Nelson, Jr

Members of the Thomas J. Nelson, Jr Post 9427, Veterans of Foreign Wars, are looking for the daughter of an airman who was killed in World War II.

Two post members, Ed Matto and Ed Bachman, came to Newtown last week, attempting to locate the airman’s daughter who they believe lives in Newtown but is married and no longer uses her maiden name.

“We plan to have a plaque made to put up by the large hand-painted portrait of Thomas Nelson, Jr, that hangs in the post, in the building we share with the American Legion on Reef Road in Fairfield,” Mr Matto said. “But we need biographical information for the plaque.”

Mr Matto said Sgt Nelson’s daughter had contacted him about a year ago, inquiring whether she could obtain the portrait, but he failed to get her name and phone number at the time.

“I told her she could photograph the portrait, but we wanted to keep it for the post,” he explained. “I haven’t heard from her since.”

Mr Bachman said a plane carrying Sgt Thomas J. Nelson, Jr, was shot down during World War II. He was one of the first Fairfield residents killed in the war.

“I knew him, his father, and his uncle,” Mr Bachman said. “His father owned Nelson Ambulance Service in Bridgeport. But they are all deceased now.”

Mr Matto can be reached at 203/259-7548; Mr Bachman at 203/259-0495.