 COL. MERLE B. "NICK" NICHOLS (C.O. 77th. FS/20th.FG) |
 Merle B. Nichols, of Bellevue, Washington, was assigned to the 79th. Fighter Squadron on 3 August, 1943 and by 1 January, 1944 had risen to become a Flight Commander. He completed his tour and returned to the States on combat leave only to return to the 20th. On 2 August, 1944 to become the Group Tactical Inspector. On 19 September he became the 77th. Fighter Squadron Operations Officer, a position that he held until being promoted to Commanding Officer on 18 December, 1944 and just five days later he was promoted to the rank of Major. Nichols remained in command of the 77th.FS until completing his second combat tour and returning to the ZOI.During his two completed tours Nichols flew a total of 482 hours and 35 minutes in combat (202:30 on his first tour, 280:05 on his second.) He was credited with downing a FW-190, Me-109 and Me-410 and damaging a Do-217, Me-410 and Me-109 in the air. He was awarded the Air Medal with 11 clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 clusters. Nichols passed away June 12, 2002 at the age of 84; he was interred at Arlington National Cemetary on June 30, 2002. |
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