NELSON T. SAMUELS, ACAD, USA

Nelson Samuels '33

Date of birth: November 1, 1910

Date of death: March 13, 1934

Age: 23

Lucky Bag

From the 1933 Lucky Bag:

NELSON TINDALL SAMUELS

Severna Park, Maryland

"Sam" "Sammy" "Nathan"

"Live and let live" —no better exemplification of this philosophy can be found than in the person of Sam, who has acquired a record and a reputation that bids fair to be unequalled in the near or far future. Sam, as he is known to everyone, is a sincere devotee of the Tecumseh; not because of necessity, but because of that irresistible desire to sleep—sleep—sleep. "Juice" and seamanship, ordnance and dago, all would be neglected until the last possible minute and then a quick flick of the pages and all was safe for another month.

There was a reason for Sam's existence as you might guess and it was found in his athletic achievements. Possessor of an admirable physique, and a carefree disposition, Sam soon made himself known in many branches of sport: football, wrestling, and lacrosse, with football as his best love were outstanding examples.

Potentially of the very best, lack of ambition has kept Sam from reaching the heights in both academics and athletics but as a friend, a companion, and a loyal supporter, none better can be found.

Football 4, 3, 2, 1; Wrestling 4, 3; N Club; 2 P. O.

NELSON TINDALL SAMUELS

Severna Park, Maryland

"Sam" "Sammy" "Nathan"

"Live and let live" —no better exemplification of this philosophy can be found than in the person of Sam, who has acquired a record and a reputation that bids fair to be unequalled in the near or far future. Sam, as he is known to everyone, is a sincere devotee of the Tecumseh; not because of necessity, but because of that irresistible desire to sleep—sleep—sleep. "Juice" and seamanship, ordnance and dago, all would be neglected until the last possible minute and then a quick flick of the pages and all was safe for another month.

There was a reason for Sam's existence as you might guess and it was found in his athletic achievements. Possessor of an admirable physique, and a carefree disposition, Sam soon made himself known in many branches of sport: football, wrestling, and lacrosse, with football as his best love were outstanding examples.

Potentially of the very best, lack of ambition has kept Sam from reaching the heights in both academics and athletics but as a friend, a companion, and a loyal supporter, none better can be found.

Football 4, 3, 2, 1; Wrestling 4, 3; N Club; 2 P. O.

Loss

Nelson was killed in the crash of an observation plane on March 13, 1934 while in training with the US Army's aviation cadet program.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Born in Washington D. C., Nelson played football on the Severn school’s 1929 winning football team. The quarterback was Gordon Chung-Hoon who was also on the football team at the Naval Academy with Nelson.
After graduating from Severn School, Nelson enlisted in the Maryland Naval Militia of the Naval Reserves. He passed his entrance exam to the Naval Academy in May, 1929.
At the Naval Academy, he was an excellent wrestler who also played lacrosse and football. As a junior, he was first string backfield. As a senior, he played in every game and was listed as a substitute to Bullet Lou Kirn.
Because of a lack of commissioned vacancies in the Navy, he enlisted in the Army Flying Corps. He first received preliminary instruction in Randolph Field, Texas, before being transferred to Kelley Field.
His father Edwin was a patent attorney and member of the firm of Samuels & Clark. His mother was Kate. His brother William was on Severn School’s 1930 winning football team.

Nelson had entered the flying cadet program in July 1933. He would have graduated in July 1934.

From the 1953 edition of the book "Double Three Roundup," published by the class of 1933:

Sam grew up, proved himself, succeeded, and died not long after graduation. The Commandant at Kelly Field wrote his mother that he had been "the outstanding material of several years, a natural for flying". The details of his death are characteristic of flight disasters. Nelson T. Samuels of Kelly Field was instantly killed when his observation type plane crashed at Camp Bullis on March 13, 1934. Sam, the student flier, started his advanced training at Kelly Field March 5th after graduating from primary and basic courses at Randolph Field. He was on a reconnaissance mission at the time of the accident. Soldiers on duty at Camp Bullis saw the plane go into a spin at about 1000 feet and crash to the ground.
Dick Poor tells us that he took Sam's body home to his family. Dick also say. "The first bomb I dropped in World War II had scrawled in chalk on its side 'Regards from N.T.S.', and I placed it on a Jap ammunition storage on Maloelap Island. The surge I felt beneath me when it went off must have meant that somehow he knew it had been put in the right place for him." Sam is survived by his mother, Mrs. E. P. Samuels of Severna Park, Maryland; his sister, Frances (Mrs. Carl V. Fellows), and his brother, Bill (USNA class of 1935).
For our tribute we borrow his roommate's comment: "Always laughing — full of fun a wonderful friend."

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.