Capt. Andy Hill (Nicholas CO) and Commodore Frank McInerney (DesRon 21 “Squad Dog”) in Nicholas’s pilot house, 1943.

COMMANDING OFFICERS Lcdr. William D. Brown, USN 4 June 1942–26 January 1943 Lcdr. Andrew J. Hill, USN 26 January 1943–10 December 1943 Comdr. Robert Taylor Scott Keith, USN 10 December 1943–6 February 1945 Comdr. Dennis C. Lyndon, USN 6 February 1945–22 December 1945 Comdr. Arthur G. Hamilton, Jr., USN 22 December 1945–22 April 1946 Comdr. Harry C. Mason, USN 19 February 1951–24 March 1952 Comdr. Joseph C. Eliot, USN 24 March 1952–14 June 1955 Comdr. John B. Kaye, USN 14 June 1955–29 June 1957 Comdr. Robert E. Hawthorne, USN 29 June 1957–14 January 1959 Comdr. Edmond L. Kelley, USN 14 January 1959–28 May 1960 Lcdr. David G. Foxwell, USN 28 May 1960–25 June 1960 Comdr. Ralph A. Hilson, USN 25 June 1960–5 April 1962 Comdr. David E. Cummins, USN 5 April 1962–18 January 1964 Comdr. Robert C. Newcomb, USN 18 January 1964–25 September 1965 Comdr. William B. Hooffstetter, USN 25 September 1965–3 August 1967 Comdr. John M. Henson, USN 3 August 1967–23 July 1969 Comdr. John B. Hurd, USN 23 July 1969–30 January 1970

The “Nick” was a favorite ship of many of her commanding officers and crewmembers, and affectionately known and respected by other ships’ crews throughout her career.
     Among the people closely associated with her early history were the following:
     Florence Elizabeth Mitchell (Mrs. Edward B.) Tryon (1912–2001), great-great-great granddaughter of Marine Major Samuel Nicholas, who sponsored the “Nick” at her launch in 1942. A striking red-haired beauty, she also sponsored the third USS Nicholas (FFG 47) at her launch in 1984. She last lived in Tennessee.

Counterclockwise from top in photos taken in 1942–45: Mrs. Elizabeth Tryon; LCdrs. Brown and Hill, Capt. McInerney, Comdrs. Keith and Lyndon.

LCdr. William D. Brown, USN, was Nicholas’ first commanding officer. The Browns were known as gracious hosts for social events among officers of the Nicholas and sister ships under construction at Bath, Maine. In 1949–50, then-Captain Brown commanded battleship Missouri, unfortunately running her aground in Chesapeake Bay. He retired as Rear Admiral.      LCdr. Andrew J. Hill, USN, was a fine shiphandler. A plankowner and her executive officer at commissioning, he became her second commanding officer and was awarded the Navy Cross for his role in the Battle of Kula Gulf. Twenty-six years later, he returned to Hawaii as a retired Rear Admiral for Nicholas’ final decommissioning and arranged for her bell to be consigned to the Marine Barracks in Washington, DC for permanent display.      Capt. Francis X. McInerney, USN, was the first commander of Destroyer Squadron 21, and flew his flag in Nicholas during the major night surface actions in the Solomon Islands in 1943. In his endorsement to Lcdr. Hill’s Action Report following the Battle of Kula Gulf, he wrote, “It is considered that the Nicholas is deserving of the Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance in action.”      Comdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, was Nicholas’ third skipper. An effective leader, he brought discipline to the “Nick.” He later commanded Missouri, participated in the United Nations’ negotions ending the Korean conflict, and commanded the First Fleet. Retiring as Vice Admiral, he and his wife were popular figures at Nicholas reunions into the 1980s.      Comdr. Dennis C. Lyndon, USN, commanded Nicholas at the end of World War II. Immensely popular with the entire crew, he left the ship due to illness in December 1945 but continued his career until retiring as Admiral. He died in the 1960s.

It is with regret that I say good-bye for I shall always remember with deep affection the finest ship’s company of them all. I have always been extremely proud of our ship, completely confident in her ability, and very happy in my associations aboard her. I am grateful for having had the opportunity of serving with such an outstanding fighting organization and for the loyalty and cooperation that you have given me.      May God bless you and bring you all happiness and good fortune. Very sincerely, D.C. Lyndon, Comdr. USN Commanding Officer From Nicholas’s World War II cruise book