Steve Nelson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on March 29, 1966, and went on active duty beginning June 6, 1966. He completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, California, in August 1966, followed by infantry training at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, from August to November 1966. His first assignment was as a rifleman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam from November 1966 to January 1967, and then with Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam from January to February 1967. LCPL Nelson then served as a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion of the 9th Marine Regiment in South Vietnam from February to May 1967, followed by service as a rifleman and grenadier with Company I, 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Marine Regiment in South Vietnam from May to October 1967. His next assignment was with Sub Unit #4, Headquarters Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam from October to November 1967, and then with the 3rd Combined Action Group with III Marine Amphibious Force in South Vietnam from November 1967 until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on January 7, 1968. Sgt Nelson managed to escape from his captors on January 21, 1968, and made it back to friendly lines on January 27, 1968. He returned to the United States in March 1968, and served as a guard with the Marine Barracks at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois, from March 1968 until he left active duty on December 17, 1969. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserve until March 28, 1972, and reenlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on November 18, 1975. SSG Nelson served as a squad leader with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division at Waukegan, Illinois, from November 1975 to June 1977, and then as a squad leader with Marine Transport Squadron 234 (VMR-234) at NAS Glenview, Illinois, from June 1977 until his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve on November 11, 1981.