Airman always recalls hour of tragic military crash

(EXCERPT) Associated Press

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Jay Nelson was looking forward to an easy afternoon
with the 82nd Airborne Division on March 23, 1994. He was going on a
"Hollywood" parachute jump - one with no equipment on a beautiful day.

Before the day ended, Nelson - then a lieutenant leading an airborne
infantry platoon - was burned over 45 percent of his body and fighting
for his life at Fort Bragg's Womack Army Medical Center.

An F-16D Fighting Falcon fighter jet collided in midair with a C-130E
Hercules cargo airplane over Pope Air Force Base. The collision sent
the fighter skidding across the pavement and into a parked C-141
Starlifter, then into an area known as the Green Ramp filled with
paratroopers.

Twenty-three soldiers died and about 100 were injured. Another soldier
died later.

An emotional memorial service Tuesday at the 82nd Airborne's chapel
featured s...

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Otis Willie
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The American War Library
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