Robert T. Nelson
1936–2023 (age 87)
U.S. Coast Guard admiral
Biography
Robert T. Nelson served the U.S. Coast Guard for more than four decades, commanding cutters, overseeing missions, and guiding maritime safety initiatives across the globe. His leadership helped sustain search-and-rescue readiness, environmental stewardship, and the integration of new capabilities.
He continued to support Coast Guard families and veterans after retirement, lending his experience to civic groups and ensuring that the service remembered its heritage. Arlington National Cemetery now holds him in honor alongside the sailors he once led.