The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) John L. Nichols (ASN: 0-496397), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy at Manila, Philippine Islands, on 19 and 20 February 1945. Lieutenant Nichols commanded a rifle platoon in a Cavalry Troop attacking the strongly defended High Commissioner’s residence in Manila. The objective was surrounded by flat open terrain covered by fire from adjacent buildings and pillboxes. Late in the afternoon the troop had been pinned to the ground by heavy fire, the troop commander seriously wounded and evacuated, and the commander of the supporting tanks killed. Lieutenant Nichols took command. Realizing that the position was untenable, he ran without hesitation across the open area through intense enemy fire and personally reconnoitered a new position. Returning to the tanks, he directed four of them to effective supporting position. After dusk he re-supplied his men with ammunition, evacuated his wounded and, without detection by the enemy, assembled his troop in their new position. At daybreak he led a surprise attack on the building. During the action thirty-six enemy were killed and five machine guns and a twin 20-mm. gun captured or destroyed while the attackers suffered no casualties. Pressing his advantage, he then led his troop in taking two other large and strongly defended nearby buildings, destroying all enemy soldiers in the area. Lieutenant Nichols’ inspiring leadership and extraordinary heroism under intense enemy fire made possible the rapid seizure of an important enemy strongpoint. His extraordinary heroism and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.