Bromfield B. Nichol

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Bromfield B. Nichol, Second Lieutenant (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with a Tank Company of the 40th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Nichol distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sintra-Ni, Korea, on the night of 5 June 1953. On that night, Lieutenant Nichol was in charge of two tanks in firing position on the United Nations main line of resistance, one of which was hit by enemy rounds and set afire. Learning that a man was trapped inside the tank, Lieutenant Nichol courageously braved the intense mortar, artillery and small arms fire, mounted the vehicle and attempted to open the hatch. Unable to enter through the top of the tank, he disregarded the intense heat, crawled beneath the vehicle and tried to extricate the trapped man through the escape hatches. Failing to gain entrance, Lieutenant Nichol, though aware of the dangers occasioned by the explosion of small arms ammunition within the vehicle, again climbed atop the tank and finally succeeded in prying open the bow gunner’s hatch with his bayonet. Finding that the trapped man was dead and that evacuation was impossible, Lieutenant Nichol then returned to his battle position and continued to fight throughout the night. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Lieutenant Nichol on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 1051 (December 1, 1953)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Bromfield B. Nichol, Commander, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on the Staff of the Task Force Commander during the period 6 December 1941 through 14 June 1942, in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands.