KOSCIUSKO — Relatives of United States Air Force Major William L. Nellans, who was listed as MIA 50 years ago this month, remember his sacrifice.  His remains have never been recovered. 

Maj. Nellans grew up at Crystal Lake, graduated from Mentone High School in 1955 and attended Purdue University before enlisting in the Air Force in 1959 at age 22.  He earned both navigator and pilot wings during his career.  He was a member of the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam. 

In mid-September 1967 on his first flight of his second tour of duty in Vietnam, Nellans, a career officer, piloted an RF4C surveillance aircraft on a mission with his navigator, Capt. Peter A. Grubb.  During the mission over Quang Binh Province a few miles north of the Demilitarized Zone, communication with the aircraft was lost.  Although search planes were sent, the fate of the two officers has never been determined.

Nellans has two children.  His son Troy (spouse Laurie) is a retired Lt. Colonel in the Army, and his daughter is Terri (spouse Scott) Brown.  His children live in the Dover, Delaware area with their five children and their families.  Their mother, Barbara (spouse John) Leone, lives nearby.  Local gold star family members include his three sisters Sue and Steve Creighton, Dena and Fred Mellott and Nanette Clark.  Other relatives include many cousins, nieces and nephews.  His parents, Elery and Edna Nellans, are deceased.

Maj. Nellans is honored on memorials located in the Mentone Cemetery, Arlington and Punchbowl National Cemeteries in Washington DC and Honolulu, Hawaii and on the Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington DC.  His memory is also noted on the Indiana state Vietnam Memorial in Indianapolis, on the Kosciusko County courthouse lawn and at his home base in Dover, Delaware.