Charles E. Nichols
Corporal, U.S. Army

In September 1950, Corporal Charles E. Nichols was serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 18 September, CPL Nichols' unit was engaged with enemy forces at Waegwan, Korea. During Company F's attack against a hill heavily defended by intense enemy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire, CPL Nichols observed his platoon commander unknowingly moving into the fire of a hostile machine-gun about fifty yards away. Although he shouted a warning, it was lost in the noise of battle. Acting without hesitation, CPL Nichols moved between his platoon commander and the point-blank machine-gun fire, absorbing all the bullets aimed at the officer. During this noble, selfless action he sustained wounds that resulted in his death the following day. CPL Nichols' courage, and self-sacrifice for a comrade, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Charles E. Nichols (ASN: RA-13165264), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Nichols distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Waegwan, Korea, on 18 September 1950. During a company attack against a hill heavily defended by intense enemy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire, Corporal Nichols observed his platoon commander approaching, unknowingly, into the fire of a hostile machine-gun approximately fifty yards away. He shouted a warning, but it was lost in the noise of battle. Acting without hesitation and well aware of the personal risk involved, Corporal Nichols hurled himself between his platoon commander and the point-blank machine-gun fire, absorbing with his own body the bullets aimed at the officer. During this noble selfless act, he suffered critical wounds that resulted in his death the next day. Corporal Nichols' supreme courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army: General Orders No. 18 (April 4, 1951)

Burial

Corporal Charles E. Nichols is buried at Graceland Memorial Park in South Charleston, Kanawha County, WV.

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