Norman Byland "Nick" Nichols, Jr. was born in 1922 in Ohio. He attended high school for 4 years and was an oiler of machinery. He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Fort Thomas, Newport, Kentucky on 31 October 1942.
Norman served in the 561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of #44-8540 aircraft during World War II. A member of the Bianchi crew, he was killed when their plane crashed on January 30, 1944. The airplane was hit by a flak which knocked out two engines. S/Sgt Nichols was last seen by a crew member, standing behind his turret, badly injured. He is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.
Source of information: www.abmc.gov, www.fieldsofhonor-database.com
Photo from: http://388bg.com
PRIVATE CITIZENS SUPPORTING AMERICA'S HERITAGE
American
War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
Nichols Norman Byland
Name:
Norman Byland Nichols
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
15338102
Unit:
561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1944-01-30
State:
Ohio
Cemetery:
Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium
Plot:
B
Row:
31
Grave:
37
Decoration:
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Comments: