Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Melvin
Francis
McNickle
POW (WWII)
January 30, 1914

–

July 9, 1986

Born:

Doland

, 

South Dakota

Home:

Doland

, 

South Dakota

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, Melvin McNickle transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. Both he and his twin brother, Marvin McNickle, reached flag rank in the Air Force, Marvin retiring as a Lieutenant General and Melvin McNickle retiring in 1973 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    January 20, 1964 – July 7, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Melvin Francis McNickle (AFSN: FR-18901/ASN: 0-22628), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Oklahoma City Air Materiel Area, Air Force Logistics Command, from 20 January 1964 to 7 July 1968. In this important assignment, demanding the highest degree of knowledge and integrity, General McNickle consistently exhibited outstanding leadership in directing numerous programs to insure a reliable defense posture for the United States and its allied nations. His management of first-line aircraft, complex command and control communication systems, and air defense systems was important to maintaining the operational capability of combat forces and to effective utilization of the Nation’s resources. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McNickle and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    June 5, 1956 – September 14, 1960
    Department of the Air Force, Special Orders No. G-113 (October 13, 1961)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Melvin Francis McNickle (AFSN: FR-18901/ASN: 0-22628), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with the Air Research and Development Command from 5 June 1956 to 14 September 1960. In this important assignment, General McNickle’s singular competence, dynamic leadership and keen understanding of major Command requirements were key factors in the solution of complex and seemingly insurmountable problems involving maintenance of the Nation’s air weapons. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McNickle and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    78th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 30, 1943
    Headquarters, 3d Air Division, General Orders No. 1090 (June 8, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Melvin Francis McNickle (AFSN: FR-18901/ASN: 0-22628), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Fighter type aircraft of the 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on a bomber escort mission on 30 July 1943. In the vicinity of Oss, Holland, a large number of enemy aircraft threatened the vulnerable bomber formation. Although greatly outnumbered, Colonel McNickle aggressively attacked the foe and succeeded in destroying one enemy aircraft before his own plane was severely damaged. Despite painful wounds in the arms and legs, he skillfully crash landed his crippled aircraft. The flying skill and courageous devotion to duty displayed by Colonel McNickle on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    July 30, 1943 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 18553

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Melvin Francis McNickle (ASN: 0-22628), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down over enemy-occupied territory on 30 July 1943, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department General Orders No. 60 (1945), No. 27 (1946) & No. 27 (1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Melvin Francis McNickle (AFSN: FR-18901/ASN: 0-22628), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel McNickle and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.