Niel E. Nelson

Niel E. "Rick" Nelson is a retired United States Marine Corps Major General.[1] He took command of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa in 2015.[2] His final assignment before his 2018 retirement was as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Combat Development & Integration and Deputy Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.[3][4]

Niel E. Nelson
Nickname(s)Rick
BornFort Knox, Kentucky
Allegiance United States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
RankMajor General
Nelson (right) participates in an award ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa in February 2013

Nelson was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He graduated from San Diego State University and was commissioned in May 1984.[3]

Nelson was named a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army Advanced Engineer Officers School; attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he received a Masters of Military Science; attended the School for Advance Warfighting; and the U.S. Army War College, where he received a Master of Science in International and Strategic Studies. Nelson also holds a Master of Science in Systems Management and graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College.[3]

Nelson's promotion to brigadier general was approved by the U.S. Senate in May 2011.[5] His subsequent promotion to major general was approved in March 2015.[6]

In 2015 he was awarded the de Fleury Medal in a surprise ceremony held in Kabul.[7] His additional military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars; Bronze Star with V Device; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars; Army Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.[3]

Nelson is the son of Ronald Andrew Nelson (born 26 July 1933) and Kathleen Ann "Kay" (Butler) Nelson (18 November 1936 – 25 October 2019). He has a sister and two brothers. His father retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel and one of his brothers also served in the Marine Corps, retiring as a major.[8][9][10]

References
  1. "6 Marine Corps generals, colonel tapped for promotion". Marinecorpstimes.com. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  2. Stars, 19 Aug 2015; Stripes (2015-08-19). "Gen. Nelson Takes Command of Marines in Africa, Europe". Military.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  3. "Major General Niel E. Nelson" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-01-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "MajGen Nelson retirement ceremony". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  5. "PN169 — Marine Corps — 112th Congress (2011-2012)". U.S. Congress. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  6. "PN245 — Marine Corps — 114th Congress (2015-2016)". U.S. Congress. 2015-03-27. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  7. "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers award U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. with the de Fleury Medal". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  8. U.S. Army Register: United States Army Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1965-01-01. p. 394. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  9. "Commanding General Rick Nelson at the Marine Corps Birthday Party in Sun Lakes". Record Gazette. Banning, California. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  10. "Kathleen Ann Nelson". News Mirror. Yucaipa, California. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2022-01-27.


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