World War II Honoree

Harvey A. Nichols

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Braxton, Mississippi

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. He was inducted into the United States Army January 9, 1940 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Following his infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands. Served with a U.S. Army 33rd Quartermaster Corps, and based on Luzon Island. His unit participated in the Battle of the Philippines, the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942). He was captured 9 April in the Battle of Bataan, while retreating to the Bataan Peninsula. As a prisoner, he was subjected to participate in the Bataan Death March, incarcerated in an unknown Prisoner of War Camp. On November 19, 1942 he died of unknown causes, with burial in a Prisoner Cemetery. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, personnel from an American Graves Registration Company disinterred his remains from the camp cemetery, and were laid to rest in the Manila American Cemetery at Fort William-McKinley, Philippine Islands. In September of 2019 the family of this Soldier received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest with Military Honors September 7, 2019 at the Braxton City Cemetery in Braxton, Mississippi. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.