Michael A. Nelson

Preferred Name: Mike
Nickname/Call Sign: Frisco
Date of Birth: October 8, 1937
Highest Military Grade: 0-9 – Lieutenant General
Hometown: E. Los Angeles, CA

General Nelson was born in 1937 and graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1960 after graduating from Stanford University. His first assignment was to RAF Lakenheath, England flying the F-100 Super Sabre.

He returned to the US in 1965 as an instructor, flying the F-100 at Luke AFB, AZ, from 1967 to 1968. LGen Nelson flew over 100 missions over North Vietnam in the F-105 Thud. After an assignment to Korea, Nelson took command of the 358 TFS at DM AFB, AZ. After a tour in “the Building”, Nelson took command of the 21 FW.

He next commanded the AD in Okinawa and the 13 AF in the Philippines. After multiple assignments, Nelson finished his career as the Commander, 9th Air Force, Operation Southern Watch, CENTAF, with 3000+ hours in the F-100, F-105, A-7, F-4, F-15, and F-16 aircraft.

(source: https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/ltgen-michael-nelson-usaf-ret)