Nichols, Russell Bert, MMC

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
I was born and raised in the rural area of Columbiaville, Michigan on January 16, 1921. My world was farming on 60 acres with workhorses and dairy cattle under parental supervision.

During my high school years, I became disenchanted and discouraged for numerous reasons. After that, having listened to suggestions from friends and neighbors and seeing posters fronting the post office regarding the naval service.

At an opportune occasion, I visited the US Naval Recruiting Office located 20 miles distant.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
With my parents', my mother, Ilah, and my father, Bert, signatures and consent, on February 16, 1938 at age 17, I enlisted for a minority cruise (which is three and a half years but officially recognized as four years of service) in the United States Navy. I received basic training at the Recruit Training Base in Newport, Rhode Island for a period of three months. This training included sleeping in a hammock seven feet above the floor (or in naval language, high above the deck). I envisioned the navy as a complete change of life and a possible future to build on, whatever came about, in the days ahead.

I was granted ten days leave following my recruit training of three months, with a completely different outlook on life, and as a seaman third class U.S. Navy.

Returning from my leave of absence, I reported aboard U.S.S. Sirus (naval transport) on June 30, 1938 with 75 fellow recruits. We were bound for United States Pacific fleet, in Long Beach, California.

I reported aboard U.S.S. Lexington, CV2- Aircraft Carrier - at anchor- off of Long Beach, California July 19,1938 and was assigned to deck force, for duty, the following day (polishing brass -and scrubbing decks- etc.). Later, I was transferred to B Division, for duty, in the boiler rooms, with a rating change to Fireman second class.

On January 1st, 1939, Lexington - with Task Force of numerous ships- departed Long Beach anchorage, for war maneuvers in south Caribbean waters - with visits to British West Indies - and adjacent islands, thence to New York City, and the 1939 World's Fair. While there, at anchorage, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, declared a national emergency. Lexington, and fleet of ships immediately returned to Pacific Coast area, and on April 2nd, 1940, left for Hawaii - with Lexington, remaining, with Hawaiian detachment.

I passed an examination, for Fireman first class, and later, was transferred to M Division, and engine rooms. Later still, I passed examinations and increased rating to Machinist Mate second class, with my battle station, on number two Dynamo Flat, with two, steam driven electrical generators, which was located in the after engine room area of Lexington - three decks down!

On December 6th, 1941, the "Plan of the Day" informed all hands, to ready Lexington, for departure of Pearl Harbor @ 00:01, (1 minute after midnight) for Midway Island, accompanied by Task Force, transporting marine planes. On the morning of December 7th, 1941, the following day, of our departure, Lexington, received the message of the air raid on Pearl Harbor. This was eight hours, after our departure, from that location, which allowed us to be 250 miles north of Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

We had an immediate reversal, of the ship's course, with a launching of search planes, extending south of Pearl Harbor - before retiring, and re-entering Pearl Harbor and the scene of sunken ships. There was black fuel oil, over the entire harbor area. An interesting note: During this time, there was an intense search, for a two man, Japanese submarine, seeking safety under the Moored Hospital Ship. This Japanese submarine, was finally captured, and destroyed. Shortly thereafter, Lexington refueled, and left Pearl Harbor, conducting offensive raids on Japanese occupied islands - destroying Japanese ships, and Japanese aircraft - and providing air coverage for reoccupation by marine and army personnel.

On the morning of May 5th, 1942, the aircraft carriers Lexington and Yorktown, moved into the Coral Sea - when Lexington's search planes made attacks on the aircraft carrier striking force - and with expectations of a return attack being made, which shortly became an actuality. The Lexington sustained four torpedo hits on the port side - and the three five hundred pound bombs in her super structure. Following the attacks, violent explosions shook the ship as a result of a gasoline vapors - from damaged aircraft fuel tanks and connecting pipelines - below the deck being ruptured from the exploding bombs. Lexington was a raging inferno internally!

Captain Frederick P. Sherman, Commanding Officer - fearing for the safety of all hands - gave the order to abandon ship. We went over the port side and were later picked up by escorting cruisers and destroyers. We had slid down ropes into the water, and swam to life rafts while we paddled away from the exploding ship. Captain Sherman, and his Executive Officer - after being assured everyone had safely exited the ship - (was the last person) to abandon the great Queen of the Flat Tops on May 8th, 1942. The Lexington, was later sunk, with two torpedoes, fired by one, of escort destroyers, (I have a piece of teakwood retrieved from her flight deck as a souvenir).

I had been picked up - along with others, including many injured, or dead - by the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Astoria. The following day, or two, we attended, "Burials at Sea", for those, who gave their lives, on the Lexington.

A few days later near the island of New Guinea, we (the survivors) were transferred to a cargo ship - in a wartime "prize" vessel - having been rested from the German's earlier from Hitler's seagoing supply ships - awaiting our arrival at a port in New Guinea.

I wore the same clothes - a suit of dungarees - hand washing them, on occasion, and hoping for them to dry overnight, for over three weeks, until our arrival in San Francisco, California.

After a leave of absence, I was assigned, my first duty (as first class Machinist Mate) to a nucleus crew, commissioning a new, escort, aircraft carrier: U.S.S. Nassau CVE 16: commissioned, August 20th, 1942. During Nassau's wartime maneuvers, she received a Commendation - Commander of Air Force Pacific Fleet - reads from October 1942 to 29 June 1943. Nassau steamed a total of 50,000 miles delivering planes and much needed supplies to the combat area of China.

In 1945, I was on a nucleus crew assigned on U.S.S. Salerno Bay CVE 110 as it was commissioned. This ship was assigned to clear Aleutian Islands of Japanese occupation. I was on this ship off the coast of China when President Harry Truman ordered an atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Iwogima and Nagasaki. This resulted in the surrender of the Japanese empire; Japan officially surrendered aboard the U.S.S. Missouri battleship on December 2nd, 1945.

During the month of December 1945, following the formal surrender of the Japanese empire and the ending of that war in the Pacific, I was assigned shore duty for four years at U.S. Navy recruiting station, Boise, Idaho.

In 1949, I was assigned to sea duty on U.S.S. McKean Destroyer DD.784 with the Pacific Fleet and Korean War objectives.

In 1951, I was assigned the U.S.S. McGowan, commissioning the destroyer from "mothball" fleet to sea. It was overhauled, and re-outfitted, at Boston Navy Yard. Afterwards, it was assigned North Korean coastal waters - The Korean War ended in 1953.

I held the title of Chief Machinist Mate, and was assigned duty, at Bainbridge, Maryland Recruit Training Command for training of recruits. U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland.

August 26th, 1957, I was transferred to inactive duty U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve after completion of 20 years United States Naval Service to reside in Glassboro, New Jersey with my family.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Combat operations can be found on "Service Career Path", but include serving aboard the U.S.S. Lexington through the Battle of the Coral Sea, etc..

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memories were recruiting and training young Americans. I enjoyed watching them change as they emerged dutifully fulfilling their assignments in our outstanding, greatest United States Navy the world has ever seen.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
My fondest memory was of my five year tour of duty on The Lexington: I mourn her loss.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
This is my list of my fourteen medals awarded:

Navy Good Conduct Medal with 5 Stars
China Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with 7 Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Korean Service Medal
Korean Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Stars
Combat Action Service Medal

All of these medals were equally meaningful to me especially those of wartime nature!

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
Admiral Frederick C. Sherman was the most influential person in the navy to me because of his impressive farewell address. I was also impressed by all of the survivors from our ship!

Then, Captain Sherman, now Admiral, had made sure we were well provided for, upon our arrival "with all of the necessities of life" as we continued onward, in our assignments in the ongoing war with the empire of Japan.

At the start, Admiral Sherman, awarded all survivors, an increase in rate, or rank, and departed after his farewell address:

Rear Admiral Sherman's Farewell Address
To the Officers and Men of the LEXINGTON

In giving up my command of the LEXINGTON, I wish to express my appreciation for the fine, loyal service you have all given to me. Many things have happened to us since I took over command two years ago today. We have been through a great deal together, especially since the 7th of December. In all that time, your conduct has been of the highest order, and in inspiration to me. I can say today, as I did a year ago, that in my opinion, the officers and crew of the LEXINGTON, including the Air Group, are the finest body of fighting men in the world today.

This is an air war, as you all very well know. In managing the world?s finest carrier, you have been in the forefront of the fighting in the Pacific since the seventh of December.

You have received the highest commendation it is possible for any group of men to receive. I will not repeat them here. I have recommended that a new carrier be named the LEXINGTON, and that as many as possible of you men be kept together to man that new carrier and carry on the traditions and spirit of the old LEXINGTON. How many of you will be so assigned, I do not know. But I do know, wherever you may go, you will carry with you the spirit that inspired us on the LEXINGTON. We have made a grand start at defeating the enemy but there is much left to do. I do not need to tell you what we are fighting for ? you know. Our way of life, our freedom from slavery, the sanctity of our homes, are all involved. We are showing our enemies what kind of people we Americans are.

Since the beginning of the war, the LEXINGTON has enagaged in three battles; all of them great victories for our forces. The LEXINGTON alone has sunk or damaged 17 enemy ships, has shot down 67 enemy planes, and has killed or drowned an estimated 900 Japanese officers, and 8,000 Japanese men. In doing this, she steamed a total of 43,311 miles. This is a record of which you can all be proud.

I have loved the LEXINGTON during my period in command, and it is with deepest regret that I say, "Farewell". To each and every one of you, I say, 'Good luck, and may we meet again.'

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
The U.S.S. Sirus was not only a means of transport; it was recruit training, continued, at sea, for about 30 days!

A bit of humor now. During a fire drill, the ship's mascot (a Bassett Hound) dove over the side! This caused Sirus, to become dead in the Mediterranean Sea, and necessitated the lowering of a lifeboat, complete with oars, to save the canine mascot. Thus- it paved the way for an unexpected man, "dog", overboard drill.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
My civilian employment was directly related to my military specialty in high-pressure steam turbine operation (engine rooms and boiler rooms of naval ships I served on during my navy career). I followed up, by passing and obtaining a, NJ state Operating Engineer's License and later obtaining further steps in the licensing provisions.

Following my 20 year military service, I was employed by the following industrial manufacturing companies via his state Operating Engineer's License:

3 years - Sumco Engineering Company, Caldwell, NJ "Field Engineer "

16 years - Harshaw Chemical Company, NJ "Power-House Engineer"

6 years - Scott Paper Company Research and Development Plant, Buena, NJ
"Power-House Engineer "

In 1986, I retired from Scott Paper Company, having attained the age of 65. I continue to reside in southern New Jersey with my daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren in nearby areas.

My interest is spending summers in coastal Maine and marker pen painting. I am 91.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am involved in several associations and/or organizations. They are:

U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve Association
Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW)
American Legion
United States Navy Memorial (www.org/navylog)
World War II Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Korean War Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Pacific War Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

World War II and the loss of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Lexington CV2 in the battle of the Coral Sea on May 7 - 8, 1942.

There is a book called Queen of the Flat Tops written by Stanley Johnson which has four printings. This book describes the Coral Sea Battle.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
At one month over 16, I was more or less raised by the U.S. Naval Forces directly and indirectly a great influence on my life, liberty and pursuit of happiness!

The navy provided an overall education in all manners, ways and means in knowledgeable upbringing. I'm proud of my past history, my way of living, my way of treating my fellow man (and women), my past developed my future!

Always the best! I do the best with what I have with faith in God and country!

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
My advice to those still serving:

1) Follow strictly all rules and regulations to the best of your ability!
2) Obey all orders and always give an extra 10%!
3) Always have initiative in every way. (Don't wait to be told. Be first always
without being told and give that extra 10% with a job well done)
4) Study and pass those exams " for your next advancement in rank or rate! 5) Energize your training on the job "your performance can be a winner on
any occasion.

An old adage: If a job is once begun, never leave it "til it's done. Whether it be big or small, do it well or not at all.

Here are my thoughts after securing from battle station one hour before dawn: After securing from the "Dawn Phase" (Dawn Phase definition: naval ships are never caught sleeping. One hour before dawn, all personnel are at their battle stations so they are not caught sleeping by their enemies), walk up on the bow of your ship. See the beauty of the ocean.

Good luck, may God bless you!

Russell B. Nichols, MMC-USN(Ret)