Ninth District External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
Photo Release
PHOTO: Ohio-native retires after 29 years of Coast Guard service
CLEVELAND – Rear Adm. Michael Parks, commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, presents a certificate of appreciation, signed by President Barack Obama, to Chief Warrant Officer Michael Nelson during Nelson's retirement ceremony, June 25, 2010.
Nelson retired after 29 years of honorable service to his country, serving at both ashore and afloat units.
Nelson, a native of Ohio, enlisted in the Coast Guard on Nov. 2, 1981. After graduating from Training Center Cape May, N.J., Nelson served onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet and served two tours on Coast Guard Cutter Legare. Nelson’s land tours include Coast Guard Group Ohio River, Communications Master Station Atlantic, Atlantic Area, Telecommunications and Information Systems Center and the Ninth Coast Guard District.
Nelson’s Awards include: two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Achievement Medals, four Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, a Dept. of Transportation Gold Medal, five Coast Guard Unit Commendations, five Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, three Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbons, the Coast Guard Sharpshooter Rifle Medal, the Coast Guard Marksman Pistol Shot Medal, Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon, five Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, Coast Guard “E” Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Bicentennial Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation and the Global War on Terror Service Medal.
Nelson is married to the former Debbie Leonard, also a Coast Guard chief warrant officer. They have a son, Michael.
They intend to retire to their home in Brecksville, Ohio.
Nelson is a 1981 graduate of Brecksville/Broadview Heights High School.
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