Shawn Nelson (Ranger)
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Shawn Nelson (born?) was a United States Army Ranger who served in Mogadishu, Somalia.
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[edit] Battle of Mogadishu
During the Battle of Mogadishu, Nelson was the first soldier to see Cliff Wolcott's Black Hawk crash. After trying repeatedly to be heard over the crowded command radio channel, he decided to push out to the crash site to help rescue the Black Hawk crew. Seconds after he made his decision, Captain Steele gave permission and he was joined by First Lieutenant Tom DiTomasso and another eight Rangers from Chalk Two.
[edit] Black Hawk Down film
In the movie Black Hawk Down, Nelson is treated partially as comic relief. Specialist Lance Twombly and he are left behind when the Lost Convoy leaves the Olympic Hotel. After a lull in combat, they realize that they have been left and fight through the city towards Wolcott's Black Hawk. In the process, Nelson is deafened when Twombly fires his M249 SAW close to his head (which also happened during the actual battle). Later, they accidentally exchange gunfire with Staff Sergeant Ed Yurek, who then takes command of them and leads them to the crash site.
[edit] After the Rangers
After the battle, Nelson left the Rangers and worked as a trail guide in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, until re-enlisting into the Navy in 1999, hoping to become a SEAL.
[edit] External links and references
http://inquirer.philly.com/packages/somalia/dec14/wherenow.asp (Inquirer Black Hawk Down)
- Bowden, Mark. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, 1999, Bantam.
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