PFC John Leif Nielson
Dec 28, 1941 - Jan 31, 1968
Panel 36E, Line 028

On Jan 31, 1968, PFC Nielson, was part of Task Force-35, during TET 1968, Tan Son Nhut, Air Base, RVN.  PFC Nielson was assigned to the 69th Signal Battalion.  At approximately 0320 hours the Attack on Tan Son Nhut, Air Base had began.  PFC Nielson was called upon to help protect the Air Base along with the regular Security Police personnel.

Task Force-35 was sent to the West end of the runway to engage human waves of NVA and VC enemy.  The enemy had attempted to attack the installation from nine different locations.  It was in the vicinity of the 0-51 Bunker, on the extreme West end of the installation, that PFC Nielson was mortally wounded and succumbed to his wounds.