Patrick Henry Nelson III (March 11, 1910 – June 28, 1964) was an American politician, U.S. Marine veteran of World War II, and attorney from Columbia, South Carolina.
Early life and education
Nelson was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to attorney William Shannon Nelson (1881–1939) and Frances Geddes Nelson.
After graduating from The University of South Carolina and The University of South Carolina School of Law, Nelson practiced law with Nelson Law Firm, (the firm started by his grandfather, Patrick Henry Nelson II).
Military and political service
In 1941 Nelson joined the United States Marine Corps after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered the Second World War. He served in The Fighting Bengals (Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224) throughout the war and fought across the Pacific (including the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, Funafuti, Ellice Islands, and other battles and engagements).
In 1944, while serving in Roi Namur, Marshall Islands, Captain Nelson worked with Charles Lindbergh, who served as an aviation advisor to the Fighting Bengals.
