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First Name: William

Last Name: Nuchols

Birthplace: Riverside County, CA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: U.S. Army Air Forces (1941 - 1947)



Home of Record: Riverside, CA
Middle Name: L.



Date of Birth: 02 July 1918

Date of Death: 28 July 1943

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Years Served:
William L. Nuchols

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

William L. Nuchols
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 28 July 1943, Second Lieutenant William L. Nuchols was serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber in the 3rd Bombardment Group (Light), Fifth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 2LT Nuchols’ unit was in action against Japanese forces while participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Seeing 2 Japanese destroyers off the coast of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 2LT Nuchols sent his bomber diving down after them. However, a moment later 2LT Nuchols saw a twin-engine Japanese plane and, swerving, dived on it in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from the nearby Gloucester Airdrome. After seriously damaging this plane, 2LT Nuchols made a run on one ship at masthead height but strong fire from the destroyer prevented the release of his bombs. Although the upper turret guns and the inter-communication system of his plane were inoperative, 2LT Nuchols began a second run on the destroyers. Other Japanese planes had arrived and were now attacking his B-25, but 2LT Nuchols completed his run. Now unable to maneuver the bomber for combat due to its damaged controls, 2LT Nuchols succeeded in keeping it going and the Japanese, after about fifteen minutes of running battle, gave up and flew away. 2LT Nuchols' bomber still had its full load of bombs and he ordered them jettisoned in order to gain some altitude. By this time the ship had managed to cross over the New Guinea coast and into friendly territory so, at 2LT Nuchols’ command, the crew bailed out. Now alone at the controls, 2LT Nuchols was unable to maintain flight and was killed in the crash of the plane after sacrificing his life to save the crew. 2LT Nuchols’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William L. Nuchols (ASN: 0-662591), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of a B-25 Medium Bomber in the 3d Bombardment Group (L), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 28 July 1943, against enemy targets in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. On that date, Lieutenant Nuchols spotted two Japanese destroyers off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, and sent his bomber roaring down after them. A moment later, however, he saw an enemy twin-engined plane and, swerving, dived on it in the face of violent anti-aircraft fire from the nearby Gloucester airdrome. After seriously damaging this plane, he made a run on one vessel at masthead height. Strong fire was encountered from the destroyer and the bombs were not released. Despite the failure of the upper turret guns and the inter-communication system, he began a second run. By this time other Japanese planes were beginning to swam in, and had the bomber under attack. Nevertheless, Lieutenant Nuchols completed the run. Although unable to maneuver the ship for combat by now because of its damaged controls, Lieutenant Nuchols succeeded in keeping it going and the Japanese, after about fifteen minutes of running battle, finally gave up and dropped off. The bomber still had its load of bombs and Lieutenant Nuchols, in order to get some altitude, ordered the explosives jettisoned. By this time the ship had staggered over the New Guinea coast and friendly territory. At his command, the crew bailed out. Alone at the controls, Lieutenant Nuchols could not maintain flight and crashed with the plane, having sacrificed his life to save the crew. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Nuchols on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 62 (1943)

Burial

Second Lieutenant William L. Nuchols is buried at Evergreen Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Riverside, Riverside County, CA, in Plot 73-R.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7260868/william-l-nuchols



Honoree ID: 315312   Created by: MHOH

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