The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Murl E. Nichols (ASN: 6913120), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while assigned to the 30th Bombardment Squadron, Far East Air Force, and while serving as Headquarters Guard at the Command Post of the Commanding General, Visayan-Mindanao Force, Del Monte, Bukidnen, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, 15 April 1942. Utterly disregarding danger, Private Nichols rushed into a burning building, which had been set on fire by a flight of enemy dive bombers, and while the building was still under machine gun fire of the hostile bombers, he removed valuable equipment and stores which otherwise would have been completely destroyed. His distinguished gallantry, courage and action set an example in devotion to duty to the entire command.