Nielsen

Chase Jay Nielsen, 0-419938, Lieutenant Colonel

Navigator Crew 6

Born January 14, 1917, Hyrum, Utah
Died March 23, 2007, Brigham City, Utah

Graduated from South Cache High School, Hyrum, Utah, 1935.  Attended Utah State University from 1935 to 1938; majored in Civil Engineering.  Enlisted as Flying Cadet at Fort Douglas, Utah on August 18, 1939.  Commissioned and rated navigator, June 1941.  Later earned ratings as Senior Aircraft Observer and Master Navigator. Was Prisoner of War, Japanese, after Tokyo Raid from April 1942 until release in August 1945. Was only Tokyo Raider who returned to testify at Japanese War Crimes Trials and was the only living survivor of his crew.  Remained in service with various units of the Strategic Air Command until retirement in November 1961.  Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and Chinese Breast Order of Pao Ting.