Fallen Soldier: Caleb A. Nelson

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Neb., was assigned to SEAL Team 10, based in Norfolk, Va. On October 1, 2011, PO1 Nelson was killed after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Qalat, Afghanistan.

PO1 Nelson joined the Navy in August 2005 and, after graduating from Naval technical training began special warfare (SEAL) training in May 2006. His first deployment was to Iraq in 2009 and then to Afghanistan in 2011, with SEAL Team 10.

One of ten children, PO1 Nelson was a man who was driven to succeed in everything he did. He didn’t like mediocrity and was always striving to be the best he could possibly be. He was also a mentor, always challenging those around to improve themselves.

Tim Szymanski, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group Two, called Nelson “a cherished teammate, a gifted SEAL operator and a loving husband and father.”

PO1 Nelson’s two children are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.