I never met my uncle. Nels was KIA eleven years before my parents met. I have been fortunate enough to meet Kriss Smith, son of 1LT Randolph K Smith, and Frank Rinaldo, Jr., son of S/Sgt Frank Rinaldo, Sr. Their fathers and Nels were part of the same aircrew. I have started researching their service at the National Archives.



1Lt Nels W Pedersen, was a Navigator with the 44th. He flew with Howard Landhal’s crew. They arrived in Shipdham, after flying the southern route, on 16 March 1944. They were first assigned to the 66th BS, and later transferred to the 506th. Their plane (Cape Cod Special) was hit by flak on 29 June 1944. The damage caused them to slide, in formation, into George Wescott’s plane (My Everlovin’ Gal). Both planes were lost. Nels was KIA.



Eyewitnesses reported that Pedersen was unable to escape the aircraft before it crash, they believe he was hit by flak and unable to escape due to his wounds. Pedersen's body was found by German authorities who buried him at Gerwisch Cemetery.



Killed in Action (KIA) Mid air collision and crashed near Magdeburg in B-24 Cape Cod Special #42-51181