World War II Honoree

Elmer O. Nichols

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Concordia, Kansas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: MACHINIST’S MATE 3RD CLASS. ENTERED THE NAVY IN MARCH 1944 AND COMPLETED HIS BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. HE WAS SELECTED AND TRANSFERRED INTO THE SEABEES; TRAINED AT DAVISVILLE NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION CENTER, DAVISVILLE, RHODE ISLAND AND HAWAII. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS AND PARTICIPATED IN THE ASSAULT ON IWO JIMA. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES, HE SERVED WITH THE OCCUPATION FORCES IN JAPAN. AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH A BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED DECEMBER 1945.