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Dick Nelms oral history interview
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IdentifierOH_Nelms_RichardSourceThe Museum of Flight Oral History Collection (2019-00-00-100), Digital RecordingsCreatorMuseum of Flight (Seattle, Wash.)IntervieweeNelms, Richard A., 1923-InterviewerFlorsheim, BruceDescriptionBorn-digital video recording of an oral history with Richard "Dick" Alan Nelms and interviewer Bruce Florsheim, recorded as part of The Museum of Flight Oral History Program, March 17, 2017.AbstractU.S. Army Air Forces veteran Richard “Dick” Alan Nelms is interviewed about his service as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress copilot and pilot during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences with the 710th Bombardment Squadron of the 447th Bombardment Group and recounts notable events from his service in the European Theater. Topics discussed include his training and service history, bombing missions over Germany, his thoughts on handling fear in combat situations, and his involvement with The Museum of Flight.BiographyU.S. Army Air Forces veteran Richard “Dick” Alan Nelms served in the European Theater during World War II as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress copilot and pilot. He was born on February 17, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio to George W. and Lazette O. Nelms. The family relocated to Niagara Falls, New York shortly after his birth. In 1938, the family moved to Columbia, South Carolina following the death of Nelms’s father.
Nelms graduated from high school in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces shortly afterward. He completed his flight training through the Southeast Army Air Forces Training Command at airfields in Alabama, Florida, and Indiana. After receiving his commission, he joined the 710th Bombardment Squadron of the 447th Bombardment Group and deployed to Europe as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress crewmember. He initially served as a copilot before receiving a promotion to first pilot. During his tour, Nelms flew a total of 35 bombing missions in Europe and earned five Air Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Following the end of World War II, Nelms left military service to return to school. He attended California State University in Bakersfield, then moved to Seattle, Washington to study commercial art. After graduating from a professional arts school, Nelms established a freelance commercial art business, which he ran from 1949 to 1990. He married his wife Laurel in 1951, and they had one son.
After the passing of his wife in 2014, Nelms followed his son’s advice to become a volunteer at The Museum of Flight. As of 2020, Nelms serves as one of the Museum’s history storytellers, giving talks about his World War II experiences.
Biographical information derived from interview and from additional information by interviewee.Table of ContentsIntroduction and personal background -- Training and service with the U.S. Army Air Forces -- Mission logistics -- Dealing with fear on bomb runs -- Thoughts on German aircraft and remembering close calls on missions -- Promotion from copilot to pilot -- Notable bombing raid on Germany -- Loss rate -- Final mission and dealing with wounds and damage -- Close encounter with a barrage balloon -- Military decorations -- Post-mission logistics -- Post-war life and involvement at The Museum of FlightCreation Date2017-03-17SubjectAir pilots, MilitaryBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress FamilyBombing, AerialNelms, Richard A., 1923-United States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Group, 447thUnited States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Squadron, 710thWorld War, 1939-1945United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 8thUnited States. Army. Bombardment Squadron, 710thPlaceFranceGermanyExtent1 recording (1 hr., 38 sec.) : digitalLanguageEnglishOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)born digitalBibliographic CitationThe Museum of Flight Oral History Collection/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscriptionDick Nelms oral history interview
Nelms graduated from high school in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces shortly afterward. He completed his flight training through the Southeast Army Air Forces Training Command at airfields in Alabama, Florida, and Indiana. After receiving his commission, he joined the 710th Bombardment Squadron of the 447th Bombardment Group and deployed to Europe as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress crewmember. He initially served as a copilot before receiving a promotion to first pilot. During his tour, Nelms flew a total of 35 bombing missions in Europe and earned five Air Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Following the end of World War II, Nelms left military service to return to school. He attended California State University in Bakersfield, then moved to Seattle, Washington to study commercial art. After graduating from a professional arts school, Nelms established a freelance commercial art business, which he ran from 1949 to 1990. He married his wife Laurel in 1951, and they had one son.
After the passing of his wife in 2014, Nelms followed his son’s advice to become a volunteer at The Museum of Flight. As of 2020, Nelms serves as one of the Museum’s history storytellers, giving talks about his World War II experiences.
Biographical information derived from interview and from additional information by interviewee.Table of ContentsIntroduction and personal background -- Training and service with the U.S. Army Air Forces -- Mission logistics -- Dealing with fear on bomb runs -- Thoughts on German aircraft and remembering close calls on missions -- Promotion from copilot to pilot -- Notable bombing raid on Germany -- Loss rate -- Final mission and dealing with wounds and damage -- Close encounter with a barrage balloon -- Military decorations -- Post-mission logistics -- Post-war life and involvement at The Museum of FlightCreation Date2017-03-17SubjectAir pilots, MilitaryBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress FamilyBombing, AerialNelms, Richard A., 1923-United States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Group, 447thUnited States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Squadron, 710thWorld War, 1939-1945United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 8thUnited States. Army. Bombardment Squadron, 710thPlaceFranceGermanyExtent1 recording (1 hr., 38 sec.) : digitalLanguageEnglishOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)born digitalBibliographic CitationThe Museum of Flight Oral History Collection/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscriptionDick Nelms oral history interview
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Collection AreaArchivesOral HistoriesDick Nelms oral history interview
Museum of Flight (Seattle, Wash.), Dick Nelms oral history interview, [OH_Nelms_Richard]. Museum of Flight Digital Collections, accessed 11/02/2026, https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/nodes/view/21125