John W. Nicholson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John William Nicholson Sr.
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| Born | February 22, 1934 |
| Allegiance |  United States |
 United States Army |
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| Years of service | 1956–1986 |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
John William "Jack" Nicholson Sr. (born February 22, 1934) is an American retired Brigadier General of the United States Army who was appointed secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) by President George W. Bush in January 2005.
Biography
Prior to this appointment, he served as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he directed the National Cemetery Administration.
Born and raised in Iowa, he is a 1956 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he received the General MacArthur Leadership Award for his class, and holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an airborne ranger combat infantryman and served two and one-half years with infantry units in Vietnam. Other overseas assignments during his 30-year Army career included duty in Germany, Korea, Lebanon and Switzerland. Recommended for a Silver Star for action in Vietnam, the award was approved in 2009.
He currently serves on the board of advisors of the Code of Support Foundation, a nonprofit military service organization.
He is the brother of Jim Nicholson, a former Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Chair of the Republican National Committee. His son John W. Nicholson Jr. is a 1982 graduate of West Point and was the U.S. Army general in charge of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan for more than 2 years. Nicholson Sr. and his wife Sophie have five children and thirteen grandchildren.
Silver Star action
"On Dec. 27, 1963, then Maj. Nicholson was serving as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Regional Forces and South Vietnamese Popular Force. During an eight-hour battle, their force was reduced from 200 to 40, and Nicholson directed friendly fire and mortar fire to help evacuate 13 wounded soldiers through enemy territory."
Awards and decorations
 Combat Infantryman Badge |
 Senior Parachutist Badge |
 Ranger tab |
 Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
 Army Staff Identification Badge |
 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Combat Service Identification Badge |
 503rd Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |
 Vietnamese Parachutist Badge |
 ? Overseas Service Bars |
 Army Distinguished Service Medal |
 Silver Star |
 Defense Superior Service Medal |
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  Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters |
 Meritorious Service Medal |
   Air Medal with V Device and bronze award numeral 48 |
 Army Commendation Medal |
 National Defense Service Medal |
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 Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars |
 Korea Defense Service Medal |
 Army Service Ribbon |
 Army Overseas Service Ribbon |
 Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2nd class |
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 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |
 Vietnam Campaign Medal |
