Captain Dick Nelms, 99, who piloted a B-17 Flying Fortress 35 times over Germany and Nazi occupied Europe in World War II, speaks to Clemson University ROTC cadets in the Tillman Hall auditorium, Feb. 23, 2022. Nelms flew for the 447th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, Army Air Forces (the direct predecessor of the Air Force) and earned numerous valor awards for his service including the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals and a Presidential unit citation. In 1938 Nelms moved to Columbia, SC at age 15 after his father passed away. He and his older brother George became fascinated wi


Captain Dick Nelms, 99, who piloted a B-17 Flying Fortress 35 times over Germany and Nazi occupied Europe in World War II, speaks to Clemson University ROTC cadets in the Tillman Hall auditorium, Feb. 23, 2022. Nelms flew for the 447th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, Army Air Forces (the direct predecessor of the Air Force) and earned numerous valor awards for his service including the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals and a Presidential unit citation. In 1938 Nelms moved to Columbia, SC at age 15 after his father passed away. He and his older brother George became fascinated with Clemson and he has wanted to visit the campus ever since. 84 years later he finally fulfilled that dream. (Photo by Ken Scar)


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Keywords: -17, 8th, air, dick, force, nelms, rotc, wwii