All four brothers honored with a handmade plaque with the United States Army Seal.
Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
The Nations brothers grew up in Bryson City roaming the mountains, hunting and fishing, and attended K-12 school at Swain. There were four brothers with only about two years of age difference between each: Jim is the oldest, followed by Sam, Jerry, and Tony.
In 1968, at the age of 22 and 20, Jim and Sam Nations enlisted in the military just a few days apart. A couple of years later, Jerry followed in his older brothers’ footsteps and enlisted in 1970 when he was 19 years old. It seemed like a family tradition to serve their country, as Tony enlisted in 1981 at the age of 27.
Staff Sergeant Jim Nations spent a consecutive two and a half years overseas, one and a half of those with 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa and the next year in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Jim was awarded a bronze star with the first oak leaf cluster and several other medals. Jim’s service totals three years of active duty and another three years of active reserves.
It may be rare for siblings to follow the same path. Jim said he and his brothers all enlisted in the military because they felt called to do so and because of their family members serving before them.
“We all enlisted because it was the right thing to do, because our uncles had served in WWII, and because we wanted more from life than just working hourly positions in the county,” Jim Nations said.
Sergeant First Class Sam Nations was the Crew Chief for a Patriot Missile Defense System Battery that shot the first Scud missile down over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the one that electrified Americans as they watched on TV while Desert Storm began.
Sam was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions that night. Sam retired in 1993 after having served in numerous overseas assignments on three continents.
Although brothers, with very similar interests, Jim said they still had their differences.
“Sam and Jerry were very different in that Jerry was quiet and reserved while Sam was a jokester full of life and laughter,” Jim said. “Tony and I were naturally more alike in that we took life a little more seriously. Tony joined the Army ten years after Sam, Jerry and I. He wanted to serve and do his duty and he also saw the military as a way to earn a living while traveling.”
Specialist Jerry Nations completed his training as a watercraft operator and was then assigned to the 1097th Transportation Company in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam and spent a year in service there.
After his Vietnam assignment, Jerry was assigned to Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he finished out his obligation.
Sergeant First Class Tony Nations also served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He completed two tours of duty in Korea, one tour of duty in Germany, and participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.
His stateside duties included assignments at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fort Wainwright, Arkansas.
His military decorations include two Bronze Service Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (7th award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award Medal (5th award).
The brothers stayed close throughout their lives and visited each other during the holidays.
“After Sam and Tony retired, all four of us became even closer friends, traveling to visit each other and spending Christmas and July 4th holidays in Bryson,” Jim said.
All four brothers were awarded plaques for their service that were made by a VFW member.
“The plaques were made by a member of the VFW Post of Ocean Shores, Washington, and presented to Sam Nations,” said Jim.
Jim currently serves as a member of the Swain County Board of Elections, and Sam is Vice Chief of the VFW Ocean Shores Post in Washington state. Tony passed away in July of 2017 and Jerry passed in October of 2020.
We would like to thank the Nations brothers for their service, as well as everyone who has fought for our country!