The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Major General Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander, III Marine Amphibious Force in connection with operations against the enemy in Vietnam from 1 June to 16 October 1967. Major General Nickerson demonstrated exceptional professional ability and leadership in directing a myriad of vitally important projects and functions. Monitoring all operations, policies and trends, he rendered invaluable assistance to the Commanding General and guidance to the staff by providing logical solutions to problems encountered in the extensive operations of a major combat command. He capably supervised every aspect of the vitally important Combined Action Program. Traveling through hostile territory by various means and often on foot, he visited each combined action group headquarters and twenty-seven units operating throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone. With foresight and tireless effort, he established a combined action school capable of providing seventy trained Marines bi-weekly in support of the program. As Chairman of the Joint Coordinating Council, which included civilian and military representatives of the United States and Vietnamese Governments, Major General Nickerson had the responsibility of coordinating allied efforts in the Pacification Program and was instrumental in accelerating the development of numerous projects, including a sugar refinery at Quang Ngai, a medical center for the DaNang area and the An Hoa industrial complex. Exhibiting exceptional professional proficiency in the fields of financial management and logistics, he ensured a continuous flow of vital supplies and effective maintenance support to units of the force actively engaged in combat operations. Major General Nickerson also directed the Military Construction Program in I Corps Area, carefully monitoring all projects and expenditures. He saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in military assistance funds on one project alone. His military bearing and skillful execution of all tasks earned him the respect and admiration of all with whom he served and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the Marine Corps’ mission in Vietnam. By his extraordinary professional ability, superb leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, Major General Nickerson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
October 1, 1966 – May 31, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, during operations in support of the Republic of Vietnam from 1 October 1966 to 31 May 1967. Having the responsibility for a tactical area which was increased to 1,536 square miles concurrent with his assumption of command, Major General Nickerson skillfully and effectively redeployed his forces with exceptional efficiency and dispatch, maintaining continuing pressure against an elusive enemy in a dynamic situation complicated by the full fury of the monsoon rains. Major General Nickerson directed his Division in forty-four major operations against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong units, inflicting devastating damage which included 4,821 confirmed killed with an additional probable death count of 3,970. Among these actions were the highly successful Operations DESOTO and UNION which were characterized by the depth of planning and boldness of concept. Maintenance of mobility and conservation of forces permitted rapid response to all sources of intelligence, providing remarkable combat achievements in an environment characterized by primitive expeditionary conditions. A strong and determined advocate of the revolutionary development program, he expelled the guerrilla organization from village after village to pave the way for sound civic actions which he recognized as the key to long term success. Major General Nickerson was a leading advocate of the Marine Corps and Vietnamese Popular Forces and he drew upon the capabilities of each to complement the other in a decisive blow against the Guerrilla Forces. Major General Nickerson was unusually active in civic projects and educational needs and developed Vietnamese loyalty to their Government through assistance and resourceful imagination. In addition to the multifarious duties of directing the FIRST Marine Division, he served with distinction as Deputy Commander, III Marine Amphibious Force during the period 1 October 1966 to 31 March 1967. Displaying outstanding ability to grasp trends and to react quickly to changing situations, he was a tower of strength to the Commanding General, III Marine Amphibious Force in providing ready and willing assistance across the complete spectrum of operations. By his inspiring leadership, outstanding judgment and loyal devotion to duty, Major General Nickerson contributed in large measure to the tactical success of the Division and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
January 12, 1968 – March 25, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant General Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Deputy Chief of Staff (Manpower), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, with concomitant responsibilities as Director of Personnel of the Marine Corps from 12 January 1968 to 25 March 1969. As Deputy Chief of Staff (Manpower), General Nickerson displayed outstanding judgment, executive skill, and professional competence in serving as the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Chief of Staff on all Manpower matters for regular, reserve, both active and inactive, and civilian personnel, as well as the individual training and education of military personnel. In this capacity, General Nickerson’s responsibilities included the planning, direction, coordination, supervision, and implementation of over 300,000 active duty personnel, approximately 170,000 Marine Corps Reserve personnel, and cognizance over some 25,000 civilian personnel. Completely dedicated to the best interests of the Marine Corps and showing great depth of understanding of human relationships, General Nickerson established outstanding rapport with members of the civilian secretariat at both the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy levels, and his counterpart manpower deputies of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force. With his keen sense of humor and broad insight into all aspects of manpower matters, he skillfully supervised such varied and complex programs as Project 100,000, Project Transition, expansion of the Marine Corps Minority Affairs Program, and he ensured that our forces were provided the best possible, highly educated and trained officers and enlisted personnel to meet the increasing manpower requirements of the Marine Corps throughout the world and especially in Southeast Asia. Further, General Nickerson devoted extensive time, study, and discussion to the matter of responsibilities for the Marine Corps civilian employees. Through his forceful, energetic, and intelligent efforts in this area, he was responsible for delineation and retention of the Commander’s authority in the management and administration of the Marine Corps Civilian Personnel Program. As the Director of Personnel, General Nickerson provided highly effective, personalized, and objective leadership in the administration of the Personnel Department, one of the most complex and difficult assignments as Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. By his dynamic and untiring performance, he ensured that the Marine Corps procured the best available applicants, provided them superior military education and training, placed them where their skills would best serve the needs of the Marine Corps, and rendered exceptionally effective administration to personnel matters of all Marines and civilian employees. By his personal example, high moral standards, and superior leadership, he inspired his subordinates to achieve the greatest possible results and earned for himself the respect and admiration of all with whom he served. General Nickerson’s distinguished record of achievement, his extraordinary devotion to duty, and his outstanding professional abilities reflected credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
May 31, 1951
General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 207 (August 13, 1951)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 Colonel Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yong-gu, Korea, on 31 May 1951. Assigned the mission of securing a strategically important objective, Colonel Nickerson, displaying rare tactical ingenuity and inspirational leadership, skillfully directed the operations of his regiment. Learning that two of his battalions were heavily engaged and that the enemy was grouping for a counterattack, Colonel Nickerson unhesitatingly left the comparative safety of his command post and fearlessly moved forward over rugged mountainous terrain, under intense enemy mortar and artillery fire, to the most forward element of his command. Unmindful of his personal safety, he advanced to an exposed vantage point under heavy enemy fire and, through his brilliant guidance, his troops repulsed the ferocious counterattack, taking the offensive and overwhelming the fanatical enemy to secure the high ground dominating the vital road junction of Yong-gu. Colonel Nickerson’s intrepid, aggressive actions, unflinching courage under fire and consummate devotion to duty reflect highest credit on himself and the esteemed traditions of the military service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
April 12 – June 2, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 12 April to 2 June 1951. An inspiring and resourceful leader, Colonel Nickerson discharged his responsibilities with marked skill and aggressiveness throughout the operations in the Hwachon-Chunchon Area and the offensive drive along the Hongchon-Yanggu Axis. With his regiment frequently called upon to bear the brunt of the enemy’s offensive actions, he effectively employed his units in repelling repeated assaults by the hostile forces and, exercising a profound knowledge of the tactical situation, led his outfit over extremely difficult terrain well in advance of the general attack to inflict heavy casualties upon the enemy. His outstanding professional ability, sound judgment and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards were contributing factors in the success achieved by the division and reflect great credit upon Colonel Nickerson and the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Nickerson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
March 27, 1969 – March 9, 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commanding General, III Marine Amphibious Force/Senior Advisor, I Corps Tactical Zone, and I Corps Coordinator for United States and Free World Military Assistance Forces from 27 March 1969 to 9 March 1970. Throughout this period, Lieutenant General Nickerson performed his myriad and demanding duties with superb leadership and exceptional professionalism. Displaying uncommon skill, courage, and fighting spirit, he led the III Marine Amphibious Force, a command comprised of some 150,000 United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel, in a relentless pursuit of Communist aggressor forces, inflicting severe losses on the enemy and capturing over 17,000 weapons and tons of enemy munitions, supplies, and foodstuffs. Employing exceptional tact and diplomacy, Lieutenant General Nickerson was uniquely successful in molding the forces of the United States and Free World Military Assistance Forces into a powerful combat entity. His concern and compassion for the people of Vietnam became the driving force behind the highly successful civic action programs conducted by Allied Forces throughout I Corps Tactical Zone. As Senior Advisor, he also contributed significantly to the dramatic improvement in the combat capabilities of Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. Lieutenant General Nickerson’s exemplary performance, unswerving devotion to duty, and outstanding accomplishments reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
September 15 – 30, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Herman Nickerson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5128), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Liaison Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korean from 15 to 30 September 1950. Courageous and determined throughout the advance along the Inch’on-Seoul Highway and during the Han River crossing, Colonel Nickerson fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy’s direct fire to move from one company to another to obtain information vital to the successful continuation of the drive against the aggressors. Inspiring all who served with him, he was in large measure responsible for the effective conduct of the attack carried out by the forward company and battalion while the enemy continued to lay down heavy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. By his forceful leadership, sound judgment and conscientious efforts throughout, Colonel Nickerson contributed materially to the success achieved by his regiment and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.