U.S.S NICHOLAS (DD449)

CONFIDENTIAL

SHIP’S HISTORICAL DATA

1. Date of Commissioning: 4 June 1942.

2. List of Area Ribbons and Engagement Stars Earned:

    (a) American Area Service Ribbon.

    (b) Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon with eleven (11) stars for the following:

      (1) Capture and defense of Guadalcanal. (10 August 1942 to 8 February 1943).
        Auth: Eight (8) AA actions, 1 counterbattery fire, and two (2) bombardments of enemy positions on Guadalcanal.

      (2) Consolidation of Southern Solomons. (8 February to 20 June 1943).
        Auth: Bombardment of Munda, 6 March; bombardments of Kolombangara, 15-16 March and 13 May, and AA action of Guadalcanal, 16 June 1943

      (3) New Georgia Group Operations. (20 Jun to 16 October 1943).
        Auth: Landings on New Georgia, 4 July 1943. Kula Gu1f Action, 5-6 July 1943. Ko1ombangara Action, 12-13 July 1943. Vella LaVella Occupation, 5 August - 16 October 1943).

      (4) Gilbert Islands Operation. (13 November - 8 December 1943).
        Auth: Operated with Task Group 50.1 (Carrier Intercept Group).

      (5) Marshall Islands Operation. (26 November 1943 – 2 March 194[4].
        Auth: Convoy operations to Kwajalein and Eniwetok and submarine action of 17 February 1944. Fast Carrier attack on Kwajalein Atoll, 4 December 1943.

      (6) Western New Guinea Operation. (17 April 1944 - 15 November 1944).
        Auth: Occupation of Aitapa (British New Guinea), Humboldt Bay, Tanahmereh Bay, 17 April – 31 July 1944. Morotai Landings, 15 September 1944.

      (7) Escort Operations
        Auth: Task Group 30.4, 22 May – 15 June 1944.

      (8) Leyte Operation (10 October - 16 December 1944).
        Auth: Leyte Landings (10 October – 19 November 1944, Ormoc Bay Landings (7-13 December 1944.)

      (9) Anti-submarine action, 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B” by Commander in Chief, United States Fleet Assessment Committee.

      (10) Luzon Operation (12 December 1944 - to be announced).
        Auth: Lingayen Gulf Landings (4 – 18 January 1945), Bataan - Corregidor Landings (13 – 18 February 1945).

      (11) Okinawa Operation.
        Auth: Unit of Task Groups 32.13 and 32.1.1 (CVE Covering Force).

    (c) Philippino Liberation Ribbon with one star for the following:

      (1) Serving on ship in Philippine Waters for at least 30 days from 17 October 1914 to date to be announced.

      (2) Engaging enemy aircraft in Leyte Gulf, 1 October 1944 to 1 January 1945.

      (3) Assault on Mariveles, Corregidor, Zamboanga, and Cebu.

3. Enemy surface units sunk or accredited assistance given in sinkings:

    Three (3), plus many barges in “slot” operations, as follows:
    1 CL, 2 DD sunk or damaged in Battle of Kula Gulf on 6 July 1943.

4. Enemy aircraft shot down or accredited assistance given in shooting down:

    Six (6) shot down as follows:

    Four (4) on 1 February 1943.
    One (1) on 4 December 1943.
    One (1) on 5 December 1944.

    Damaged:

    One (1) possibly shot down on 1 February 1943.
    One (1) possible shot down on 13 October 1942.
    Three (3) damaged on 1 February 1943.
    One (1) damaged on 27 November 1944.
    One (1) or Two (2) damaged on 7 – 10 January 1945.

5. Number of anti-submarine actions participated in which resulted in an “A” or “B” assessment: One (1) (12 November 1944).

6. Outstanding performances participated in by the ship while in actual contact with the enemy:

    (a) 6 July 1943 – Rescue of USS HELENA survivors from Kula Gulf.

    (b) 16 July 1943 – Cover Force during rescue of remaining HELENA survivors from Vella LaVella.

7. Outstanding performances participated in by the ship while not in actual contact with the enemy: None

8. Awards to the following received while serving on board:

NAME

AWARD

ACTION AND DATE

Capt. F. X. McINERNEY, USN. (CDS 21)

Navy Cross

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

Lt. Cdr. A.J. HILL, USN.

Navy Cross

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

 

Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Navy Cross

Night Action off Vella LaVella, 17-18 August 1943

 

Silver Star

Battle of Kolombangara, 12-13 July 1943

Lt. J.P. COLEMAN, USN.

Legion of Merit

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

Cdr. R.T.S. KEITH, USN.

Legion of Merit Recommended.

A/S action 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B”.

Lt. Cdr. F.J. BECTON, USN. (Staff of CDS 21)

Silver Star

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

Lt. Cdr. L.L. SNIDER, USN.

Silver Star and Ltr. Of Commendation.

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

Lt. P.T. CRUGER, USNR. (Staff of CDS 21)

Silver Star

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

THOMPSON, James R. RM1c, USN.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Divebomber attack of 1 Feb. 1943. Saved life of SMITH, N.E., CSK(AA)

ITZIN, W.V. (CWT(AA), USN.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

Capt. J.K.B. GINDER, USN.

Bronze Star

Camotes Sea Sweep and bombardment of Ormoc, 6-7 Dec. 1944.

Lt. O.B. RAILEY, USNR.

Bronze Star

A/S action 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B”.

Comdr. D.C. LYNDON, USN.

Silver Star Recommended.

Operations in Mariveles Bay and Corregidor, 13-16 February 1945.

GRIFFITH, David. T.G. RM1c, USN. (Staff of CDS 21)

Commendation Ribbon.

Operations in Mariveles Bay and Corregidor, 13-16 February 1945.

VIDA, Louis (N), ScM2c, USNR.

Bronze Star

A/S action 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B”.

DOWNS, Roy W. RdM3c, USNR.

Commendation Ribbon.

A/S action 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B”.

Lt. Cdr. R, TOWNSHEND, Jr., USNR

Commendation Ribbon.

A/S action 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B”.

GREEN, James F., RdM2c, USNR.

Commendation Ribbon.

A/S action 12 November 1944. Assessed Class “B”.

BARTLEY, Robert G., S1c, USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

HAWK, Robert (n), S2C, USN.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

LALLI, Henry E., S1c, USN.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

ROY, Wallace A., S2c, USN.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

SAMUELS, Lewis E., GM3c, USN.

Purple Heart and Silver Star

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

SMITH, Norman E., CSK(AA), USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

PELL, Edward J., S1c, USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

HEUGHEY, Lee A., S1c, USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

THOMPSON, James R., RM1c, USN.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

FOX, Furman (n), GM2c, USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

MOIR, Robert L., Jr. ScM3c, USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

CHANEY, Alvis Lee., S2c, USNR.

Purple Heart

AA Action of 1 Feb. 1943

All Hands serving on board on 5-6 July 1943.

Presidential Unit Citation

Rescue of HELENA survivors 5-6 July 1943.

ANDERSON, Kenneth R., Cox., USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

ARCENAUX, L.J., F1c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

BALLARD, W.G., F2c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

CLARK, R.R., S2c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

CLASPILLE, W.F., S1c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

DEXTRADEUR, W.J., DF2c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

EVERETT, J.C., Lt.(jg), USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

HAYNIE, R.H., CRM(PA), USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

MOLL, J.M. Jr., SM2c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

MOYNIHAN, M.E., CQM(PA), USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

PIPES, R.H., S1c, USN.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

PROCIW, W., S1c, USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

ROCK, E.W., F2c, USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

SALISBURY, W.H., Lt., USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

SCARBROUGH, J.L., S2c, USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

SCHUCHARDT, L.L., S2c, USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

STONE, J.H., Lieut., USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

WILK, S.A., RdM3c, USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943

BOWLIN, J.S., Y3c, USNR.

Ltr. of Commendation

Tokyo Bay Occupation Force, 8 September 1945