Rodney Neilson Post 912 American Legion

Post 912

Learn how our history, mission, and Four Pillars guide service to Washington-area veterans.

A polished wooden memorial table inside a dignified American Legion hall, topped with a meticulously folded American flag, a gleaming brass service bell, and a dark blue cap with a generic gold emblem that suggests veteran service without readable text. Framed patriotic artwork and a wall of small, abstracted plaques form a soft-focus backdrop. Warm overhead lighting and gentle window light combine to create subtle reflections on the bell and soft shadows across the tabletop. Photographed at eye level in photographic realism, with a shallow depth of field that keeps the table in sharp focus while the hall recedes into a calm, respectful blur, conveying honor, tradition, and quiet patriotism.

Rodney Neilson Biography

Rodney Neilson was born July 24, 1919 in Washington, Utah.

Rodney was a graduate of Dixie Junior College and attended Utah State Agricultural College for one year.

Neilson was employed by Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, California when he entered the U. S. Army Air Corps January 7, 1943 at Fort Douglas, Utah.

Following graduation as a gunner in Laredo, Texas he received radio training at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He received additional training in other phases at Grand Forks, North Dakota; Santa Anna, Blythe, and Bakersfield, California.

On March 23, 1944, at Ripley Auxiliary Field #1 in Blythe, Rodney was piloting a Fairchild PT-27 trainer and was involved in a takeoff mid-air collision with another student pilot. Both pilots survived.

Rodney received his commission as a Flight Officer at La Junta, Colorado having received special training with the Lockheed P-38. Rodney left for overseas duty in March of 1945. He was assigned to the 38th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron under the 13th Air Force in the South Pacific. The 38th was assigned to the 4th Photo Recon Group on December 12, 1944.

Rodney was flying a mission May 13, 1945 aboard a F5F-2, a modified version of the P-38, when his plane failed to return. He was on a mission to the SE Celebes when his plane ran out of fuel at Pulau Merampit, an island of the Nanoesa group, near the Talaud Islands, located southeast of Mindanao, Philippine Islands. Rodney landed offshore at 1500 hours in the vicinity of Raruhe village. He was apprehended by the village chief and turned over to the Japanese on May 22, 1945. He was taken to Rainis, a village in the Talauds, and executed by decapitation June 10, 1945. Rodney’s remains were buried in a round grave near Rainis.

In March of 1947 Rodney’s remains were recovered and transported to the Philippines by Flight Lieutenant F. Belcher of the Royal Australian Air Force. Burial was performed at the USAF cemetery Manila #2, plot 4, row 5, grave 630, on March 4, 1947.

FAMILY

Parents and Siblings:
    Israel Neilson
    Caddie Neilson
        Rodney Neilson
        Paul Neilson
        Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx  
        Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
        Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
(xx/xx/xxxx-xx/xx/xxxx)   (married xx/xx/xxxx)
(xx/xx/xxxx-xx/xx/xxxx)
(7/24/1919-6/10/1945)
(xx/xx/xxxx-3/22/1946)
(xx/xx/xxxx-xx/xx/xxxx)   (married Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx)
(xx/xx/xxxx-xx/xx/xxxx)   (married Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx)
(xx/xx/xxxx-xx/xx/xxxx)   (married Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx)

PHOTOS

TBD

REFERENCES

Faded Valor
by Clark N. Nelson, Sr.
Memories of World War II and some of it’s local heroes, including Rodney Neilson (pp. 3-8, 17).

American Legion Rodney Neilson Post 912

Documents relating to the death of Rodney Neilson:
Form 1908, Identification Check List, 11/19/1948
Letter: Report of Burials, 1/10/1947
Letter: Casualty Information, 1/10/1947
Australian Letter: Summary of Information, 11/13/1946
”   Page 2
Extract of a Letter from the Field, 5/5/1946
Drawing of the original gravesite on Rainis, Karakelang Island

https://wchsutah.org/people/rodney-neilson.php

Our Mission
A close-up of a polished wooden display case dedicated to national security and veterans’ service, containing a pair of ceremonial dog tags on a dark velvet cushion, a folded camouflage-patterned fabric, and a generic medal suspended against a deep blue background with no readable text. The case rests against a softly blurred backdrop of a flag-inspired abstract mural. Directional spotlighting from above creates gentle highlights on the metal surfaces and rich shadows in the corners of the case. Shot in photographic realism from a slightly angled perspective, with a shallow depth of field that isolates the display, the mood is solemn yet proud, emphasizing protection, sacrifice, and enduring commitment.
A polished wooden memorial table inside a dignified American Legion hall, topped with a meticulously folded American flag, a gleaming brass service bell, and a dark blue cap with a generic gold emblem that suggests veteran service without readable text. Framed patriotic artwork and a wall of small, abstracted plaques form a soft-focus backdrop. Warm overhead lighting and gentle window light combine to create subtle reflections on the bell and soft shadows across the tabletop. Photographed at eye level in photographic realism, with a shallow depth of field that keeps the table in sharp focus while the hall recedes into a calm, respectful blur, conveying honor, tradition, and quiet patriotism.
A bright community room arranged for a children and youth enrichment event, with long tables covered in plain white paper, scattered with colorful, unbranded art supplies like crayons, markers, and construction paper in red, white, and blue tones. In the background, a large wall features a tasteful, stylized mural of a soaring eagle and stars, with no text. Sunlight streams through tall windows, creating lively patches of light on the floor and tabletops. Photographed at eye level in photographic realism, with a moderate depth of field that keeps the nearest table crisp and the mural softly blurred, the atmosphere feels welcoming, hopeful, and focused on nurturing the next generation.

Contact Us

Reach Post 912 leadership by phone or email, or visit us at 220 N. 300 E., Washington.

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