Author: mike@edisonheroes.com

William Nelson

Remember William Nelson today. He died 81 years ago today, 23Dec1944 while serving with the Army in Luxembourg. He was the 2nd Edison Hero killed in the Battle of the Bulge.

William is the 74th (of 116) Edison Hero from World War II to be featured on this site.

Click on this link to learn more about William.

William Nelson

Click on this link to learn more about the other Edison Heroes from
World War II.

The Fallen

Battle of the Bulge

December 16th 2025 is the 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Fought between December 16, 1944 – January 25, 1945, It was Nazi Germany’s last major offensive on the Western Front in World War II. Launched as a surprise attack through the densely forested Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, it aimed to split Allied forces, capture the port of Antwerp, and force a negotiated peace. The German assault created a large “bulge” in the Allied lines, giving the battle its name. Despite initial gains aided by bad weather grounding Allied air power, fierce American resistance, improved weather enabling air superiority, and counterattacks halted the advance. The failed offensive depleted Germany’s reserves, hastening the war’s end in Europe.

The battle included between 400,000 and 500,000 German troops and 600,000 to 800,000 Allied troops.

Germany suffered 80,000 to 120,000 killed, wounded, or captured.

US losses included 19,000 killed, 47,000 to 62,000 wounded, and 23,000 captured or missing.

While the battle was a s decisive Allied victory, it was also the bloodiest battle of World War II for the US.

Several Edison Heroes died during the battle, and their pages will be posted on the anniversary of the date they were killed.

Remember Pearl Harbor

Remember Pearl Harbor. Today is the 84th Anniversary of the of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On Sunday, 7Dec1941, at approximately 755am, the first wave of 183 planes attacked the US Pacific fleet at anchor in the harbor, and several airfields. Just over an hour later, a second wave of 170 planes attacked.

By 10am the attack was over. 2,403 Americans were dead and 1,178 were wounded. 8 battleships were damaged or sunk, and numerous other ships were damaged. 188 aircraft were destroyed, 159 were damaged, and several airfields were heavily damaged. The US declared war on Japan the following day.

No Edison alumni were killed in the attack that brought the United States into World War 2, however over the next 4 years, over 2,000 alumni would serve in the military, and 116 would die in service to the country. They are the Edison Heroes featured on this website.

The Fallen