William John Nicholson Brigadier General, United States Army |
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Appointed from the District of Columbia, Second Lieutenant, 7th U. S. Cavalry, 16 January 1884 Captain, 27 August 1896 Major, Chief Ordnance Officer of U. S. Volunteers, 18 June 1898 Honorably discharged from the Volunteer Service, 13 March 1899 Transfered to the 12th U. S. Cavalry, 13 April 1901 NICHOLSON, WILLIAM J. Brigadier General, U.S. Army Home: Washington, D. C. 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division, A.E.F. Date of Action: September 29, 1918 General Orders No. No. 15, W.D., 1923 Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William J. Nicholson, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near the Bois-de-Beuge, Montfaucon, France, September 29, 1918. General Nicholson established and maintained his brigade post of command on an exposed elevation near the Bois-de-Beuge, in order that he might effectively direct the attack of his brigade upon the Madeleine Farm and its surrounding woods. Realizing the important of increased artillery
support, he personally visited the division post of command behind Montfaucon
to seek such support. In his absence the brigade post of command open to
enemy observation was swept by a concentration of enemy machine- gun fire
and artillery fire. In the face of this terrific fire General Nickolson,
with great coolness and with complete disregard for his own safety, rode
forward on horseback to his brigade post of command to issue orders for
the renewed attack upon the Madeleine Farm, supervising the formation for
attack, and by his brave and gallant example inspired the men of his command
with renewed courage and determination, which enabled them to reach their
objective and hold it against repeated enemy counterattacks.
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