Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Bromfield B. Nichol, United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action during ground operations against a hostile force in Korea in 1952 and 1953. His distinguished actions 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 and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Armor)

    Batallion:

    40th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    40th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 5, 1953

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 1051 (December 1, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Armor) Bromfield Bradford Nichol, Jr,, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with a Tank Company of the 40th Tank Battalion, 40th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Nichol distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sintra-Ni, Korea, on the night of 5 June 1953. On that night, Lieutenant Nichol was in charge of two tanks in firing position on the United Nations main line of resistance, one of which was hit by enemy rounds and set afire. Learning that a man was trapped inside the tank, Lieutenant Nichol courageously braved the intense mortar, artillery and small arms fire, mounted the vehicle and attempted to open the hatch. Unable to enter through the top of the tank, he disregarded the intense heat, crawled beneath the vehicle and tried to extricate the trapped man through the escape hatches. Failing to gain entrance, Lieutenant Nichol, though aware of the dangers occasioned by the explosion of small arms ammunition within the vehicle, again climbed atop the tank and finally succeeded in prying open the bow gunner’s hatch with his bayonet. Finding that the trapped man was dead and that evacuation was impossible, Lieutenant Nichol then returned to his battle position and continued to fight throughout the night. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Lieutenant Nichol on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.