- SURNAME
Nickel
- FORENAME
Thomas Frederik
- UNIT
1st Raider Battalion (Company H)
- RANK
Private
- NUMBER
367233
- DATE OF DEATH
7th August 1942
- AGE
21
- GRAVESITE
Deepdale Memorial Park, Delta Township, Michigan, USA
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 18.07.1921, Lansing, Michigan, USA
father Fred W. Nickel (1889-1969)
mother Hazel (nee Buskirk) Nickel (1891-1971)
03.02.1942 enlisted
Next of kin - Father Mr. Fred W. Nickel, RFD 2, Box 302, Lansing, Michigan
KIA Tulagi, Solomon Islands
posthumous Silver Star
USS Thomas F. Nickel (DE-587) named in his honour
DATE OF DEATH:
07-Aug-1942AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/58453/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Thomas F. Nickel (MCSN: 367233), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, First Marine Raider Battalion during an attack against enemy Japanese forces on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, on august 7, 1942. In the face of hostile machine-gun fire, Private Nickel, with utter disregard for his own safety, worked his way forward until he was close enough to the enemy position to engage it with hand grenades. Although he, himself, was mortally wounded, his squad was able to advance without further casualties. His tenacious devotion to duty and great personal valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense for his country.
