Alumni center displays WWII medals

Harlan L. Nelson ’42 was killed in action during World War II in 1944. Nearly 80 years later his three service medals—the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal—are now on display at the Scott Alumni Center.

During his senior year at Cornell, Nelson participated in the Civil Aeronautics Authority course, which is thought to be the precursor to the Naval Flight Academy that was held on campus. Nelson held the position of treasurer of Alpha Tau Alpha his junior year and president during his senior year. He was on the golf team and participated in intramural sports along with his ATA fraternity mates. 

Nelson’s widow, Katherine Kopello-Nelson Mathias ’45, gifted the medals to the college upon her death. 

Harlan and Katherine were married in 1943. She later remarried and lived abroad for the remainder of her life. One of Katherine’s sons, Robert Mathias ’72, attended Cornell.