The Greatest: Tampa Navy League Member Nelson Spoto

Mr. Spoto (Nelson, to his friends) has a demeanor that radiates.  When you first meet him, you instantly like him, and want to be around him. 

Over the years, like all others who served in WWII, Nelson has been a role model for all of us, quick to help and to get involved.  For example, he housed some of the Japanese Officers over the 2007 4^th of July and shared with them how and why we celebrate that day.  He has worked the Air Fest and has helped raise money for our chapter.

Nelson and friends are writing a book on the Minesweeper that he served on in WWII.  When Skip Witunski briefly mentioned to Nelson that he would be interested in reading the book when it was finished, a few days later, arriving in the US Mail was a book on Nelson’s ship, the USS Raven (AM 55).  The USS Raven, was an awesome ship during its time, but the book is more of a capture of the spirit of the men who served.

Nelson graduated in Tampa from Hillsborough High in Feb. of 1944, and several days later joined the Navy at the age of 18.  During his boot camp, being a Florida cracker, he experienced snow for the first time.  The frost taught him that working at KP duty wasn’t as bad as he thought, especially since it beat being outside.  Nelson also perfected the butter patty as a deadly “between the eyes” weapon, thank God that he never had to use it.  Wonder what he used as a catapult?

Upon graduation from Boot Camp Nelson was assigned to the USS Raven, with it being one of two ships at Bainbridge Training Center.  The last half of the graduating alphabet was assigned to the USS Raven, which explains his good Navy friends, Sefrield, Slaten, Small, Smarik, and Smith being assigned with him.  One New Years day during the war found Nelson, friends, and his ship under fire while removing mines that the Germans had dumped into the sea around Italy and France.  New Year’s Day should be for recovering from New Year’s Eve shore leave.

Speaking of shore leave, the war never stopped Nelson and friends.  They survived a German bombing raid in the area where Nelson and friends were celebrating in London.  New York was on the receiving end of the dapper and handsome Nelson and his buddies, and we are sure that there were other ports where our hero and friends celebrated. 

After the war, Nelson, as others, took advantage of the GI Bill and went to college.  He has had a career as a successful Architect across the United States.  The nicest success that Nelson has enjoyed is his lovely wife Bettye.