World War II Honoree

Jack F. Nickell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

LTC Charles T. Borg, USA (Ret)

Relationship

Friend

CORPORAL. ENTERED U.S. ARMY ON OCTOBER 30, 1942. TRANSFERRED TO FORT MCCLELLAN, ALABAMA FOR BASIC TRAINING. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 242ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, 42ND INFANTRY DIVISION (RAINBOW) AS A 60MM MORTAR GUNNER. SHIPPED TO EUROPE NOVEMBER 1944 LANDING AT MARSEILLES, FRANCE. MOVED NORTH AS PART OF TASK FORCE LINDEN TO BATTLE GERMAN ARMORED AND INFANTRY FORCES ATTEMPTING TO PENETRATE ALLIED LINES IN NORTHEASTERN FRANCE. CAPTURED DURING HEAVY FIGHTING AT BATTLE OF HATTEN, JANUARY 9, 1945. PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG 9B, BAD ORB, GERMANY UNTIL LIBERATED ON EASTER SUNDAY 1945. HONORABLY DISCHARGED DECEMBER 7, 1945. RECEIVED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP MEDAL.