World War II Honoree

Albert J. 'A.J.' Nicholas

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Frederick, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON DECEMBER 16, 1941. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT SELFRIDGE FIELD, MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN ASSIGNED TO THE 5TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 52ND FIGHTER GROUP. HIS GROUP MOVED TO FLORENCE ARMY AIR FIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA IN FEBRUARY, 1942 AND WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA IN APRIL, 1942. HIS SQUADRON MOVED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE FROM JULY 13, 1942-SEPTEMBER 14, 1942. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER STATIONED IN ENGLAND AT EGLINTON FROM JULY 13, 1942-SEPTEMBER 13, 1942; THEN AT GOXHILL FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 1942-OCTOBER 21, 1942. HIS GROUP WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE BRITISH 'SPITFIRE' FIGHTER AIRCRAFT PENDING THE AVAILABILITY OF AMERICAN-BUILT FIGHTERS. HIS GROUP WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 12TH AIR FORCE, MOVED TO ORAN, ALGERIA AND FOUGHT WITH THE 12TH AIR FORCE IN NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY. HIS SQUADRON CONVERTED TO P-51 ‘MUSTANG’ AIRCRAFT IN APRIL, 1944 AND FLEW ESCORT MISSIONS FOR THE 15TH AIR FORCE. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JULY 15, 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.