KENNETH G. NIELSEN
LT. COL, US ARMY (RETIRED),
81, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Oaklawn Health and Rehabilitation Center in Louisville.
He was born in Minneapolis MN on September 10, 1931 to Herluf and Ellen Nielsen.
He earned his pilot's license at age 16.
At 17, he joined the US Army.
He served in post World War II Japan, was a tank commander in the Korean War, and a helicopter gunship commander in Vietnam.
He attended the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth KS.
He earned many medals and awards in service to his country, including the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and The Bronze Star.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,
and his Master of Science degree from the University of Louisville where he also attended the Brandeis School of Law.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty "Joey" Smith Nielsen; daughters, Lynn Boettcher (Bill) of Virginia and Laura Van Meter (Edward) of Louisville; son, Eric Nielsen (Erika) of Louisville; grandchildren, Jennifer Van Meter and Simon Nielsen of Louisville; and sister, Bernice Berglund of Minnesota.
Funeral service will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway with burial at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday noon-3 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Wounded Warriors.
LTC Nielsen was the Commanding Officer of D Troop 3/5th in 1968
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