World War II Honoree

Fred 'Nick' Nichol

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Carroll, Iowa

Honored By

Ray S. Bassett

Relationship

Friend

FRED ENTERED THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS FLYING CADET PROGRAM IN 1942 AND RECEIVED HIS COMMISSION AND WINGS IN APRIL 1943. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO COMBAT DUTY FLYING THE LOCKHEED P-38 FIGHTER PLANE WITH THE 27TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, FIRST FIGHTER GROUP; THE OLDEST SQUADRON AND GROUP IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE. HE FLEW MORE THAN 50 COMBAT MISSIONS IN NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY IN 1943 AND 1944, THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT THE GERMAN LUFTWAFFE WAS FORMIDABLE. THE SQUADRON'S MISSIONS INCLUDED BOMBER ESCORT, STRAFING AND AERIAL COMBAT. HE WAS DECORATED WITH THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND AIR MEDAL WITH EIGHT OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.