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Sgt Lynn Rutt
to remember
Marine LtGen Herman Nickerson Jr.
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Contact Info
Last Address Belfast. Maine
Date of Passing Dec 27, 2000
Location of Interment Maplewood Cemetery - Lincolnville, Maine
Wall/Plot Coordinates Lot 53 Stone 5
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
NICKERSON, HERMAN, JR. Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Donald Nickerson, Jr. (0-5128), Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yong-gu, Korea, on 31 May 1951. Assigned the mission of securing a strategically important objective, Colonel Nickerson, displaying rare tactical ingenuity and inspirational leadership, skillfully directed the operations of his regiment. Learning that two of his battalions were heavily engaged and that the enemy was grouping for a counterattack, Colonel Nickerson unhesitatingly left the comparative safety of his command post and fearlessly moved forward over rugged mountainous terrain, under intense enemy mortar and artillery fire, to the most forward element of his command. Unmindful of his personal safety, he advanced to an exposed vantage point under heavy enemy fire and, through his brilliant guidance, his troops repulsed the ferocious counterattack, taking the offensive and overwhelming the fanatical enemy to secure the high ground dominating the vital road junction of Yong-gu. The outstanding devotion to duty and extraordinary heroism displayed by Colonel Nickerson in this action reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 207 (August 13, 1951) Born: July 30, 1913 at Boston, Massachusetts Home Town: Boston, Massachusetts
The battalion was formed at San Diego, California, under Lieutenant Colonel Bert A. Bone. By the time the unit deployed to Hawaii in December 1941, five officers had exercised command; Major Lewis A. Hohn took over from Colonel Bone in July 1940, followed in August of that year by Colonel Thomas E. Bourke, in November 1940 by Lieutenant Colonel Charles I. Murray, and in February 1941 by Lieutenant Colonel Raymond E. Knapp. Under Knapp, who received a promotion to colonel, the battalion deployed in January 1942 from Hawaii to Tutuila, Samoa. Lieutenant Colonel Norman E. True briefly took over, and Knapp succeeded him from October 1942 to May 1943, but True again commanded the battalion when it deployed in November 1943 to Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. True remained in command when the unit was redesignated the 2d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion on 16 April 1944. The organization subsequently served in Hawaii and Guam before landing on Okinawa in April 1945. It returned to the United States in 1946 and was deactivated.