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:
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