William Harrell Nellis
Early Life
William Harrell Nellis was born on March 8, 1916, in Santa Rita, New Mexico. He was the eldest of three children in the Nellis family. His father, a mining engineer, moved the family to Searchlight, Nevada, when Nellis was just a child. The family later relocated to Las Vegas, where Nellis spent most of his formative years.
Education
Nellis attended the University of Nevada, Reno where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He was an active student, participating in various extracurricular activities including the university's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. He graduated in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Military Career
After graduation, Nellis joined the United States Army Air Corps, the precursor to the United States Air Force. He received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1940 and was assigned to the 71st Pursuit Squadron at March Field, California.
During World War II, Nellis served in the European Theater of Operations as a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot. He flew more than 70 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exceptional service.
On December 27, 1944, while flying his 70th combat mission over Luxembourg, Nellis was shot down and killed. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his ultimate sacrifice.
Legacy
In recognition of his service and sacrifice, the Las Vegas Air Force Base was renamed Nellis Air Force Base in his honor on April 30, 1950. Today, the base is a central hub for air combat training and houses the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center.
In addition to the base, a street in Las Vegas, Nellis Boulevard, was also named in his honor. His alma mater, the University of Nevada, Reno, established the William H. Nellis Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.