Addis Nelson '21
Date of birth: December 24, 1897
Date of death: November 9, 1927
Age: 29
Lucky Bag
From the 1921 Lucky Bag:
Addis Dewey Nelson
Brookline, Massachusetts
"Nellie" "Neb" "Monk"
LOOK him over, people. A true snake who conforms to the ancient rites and traditions of the favored brotherhood. Any Saturday night over
at a hop, all you had to do was to look around the deck, and you could immediately pick out our dashing Addis from the remainder of the laboring swains. The only trouble is that he is so terribly bashful—that being one of the reasons why he didn't go out for the gym team after he had become a nonchalant Youngster.
Our Nellie wields a deadly racquet, and as for sailing, he is a veritable old man of the sea. He is perfectly at home in calm or storm, but prefers to anchor during squalls. With a skag in his face and his hand on the tiller, he is in his natural element.
Besides his many other accomplishments, he has made many a night horrible with his violin. It's wonderful what music can do for one. His friends still remain true, even after such a night's session.
When all is said and done, he is a true and staunch friend and hasn't an enemy in the Academy; and what more can be said?
"H—l, Jake! My hair's coming out again."
Gym Team (4); Tennis Team (3, 2, 1); Captain Tennis Team (1); Winner Thompson Trophy Sailing Race; Two Stripes.
The Class of 1921 was the last of the wartime-accelerated classes. "1921A" was graduated on June 3, 1920; the second half, "1921B", was graduated on June 2, 1921. Addis was graduated with 1921B.
Loss
Addis was lost on November 9, 1927 when his airplane crashed into the Lafayette river “near 51st Street” in Norfolk, Virginia. (Information from death certificate.)
He earned his wings as naval aviator #3237 on September 11, 1925.
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Class of 1921
Addis is one of 32 members of the Class of 1921 in Memorial Hall.
