Pvt. Axel Munch Nielsen
(1921 - 2016)
Profile
Pvt. Axel Munch Nielsen was one of two brothers and Danish nationals who enlisted in the USAAF during the Second World War. He served as a carpenter.
Axel Munch Nielsen was born in Copenhagen on 8 September 1921, to labourer Frederik Julius Nielsen and Dortea Petra Marie Nielsen (née Munch).[1]
Nielsen emigrated to the United States in 1924, arriving with hos mother ans siblings to New York from Copenhagen onboard SS United States on 25 November 1924. His father had emigrated earlier in the year. [2] The family settled in Warren, Pennsylvania. In 1942, at the time of his draft, he was employed by the Paramount Furniture Company.[3]
Nielsen enlisted as a private (33295852) in the US Army in Erie, Pennsylvania, on 29 August 1942. He was not yet a citizen at this point.[4] He served as a carpenter and, in April 1944, he was posted to 265th AAF Base Unit, Pocatello, Idaho.[5] Nielsen served overseas from 13 November 1944 to 29 April 1945. He was released on 15 November 1945 at AAF Seperation Base, Gawen Field, Idaho.[6]
Nielsen died on 12 March 2016. He was the brother of Erik Munch Nielsen, who also served in the USAAF.
Endnotes
[1] DNA: Parish register, Helligånd sogn.
[2] Ancestry: New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957.
[3] Ancestry: U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.
[4] Ancestry: U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.
[5] NARA: RG 64, Morning Reports, Morning Report for April 1944: Roll 375 (2 of 4) (NAID: 468500263).
[6] Ancestry: Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Application Files, WWII, 1950-1966.