Support Asked By Legion For WW1 Hero Sergeant Nickerson

February 9, 2012

…………………………………Middleboro, Middleboro Gazette, By Bob Lessard :- A recently discovered 1955

publicity release, issued by Middleboro’s American Legion Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64

regarding the 35th anniversary of the group, mentions a 1926 Armistice Day speech by the late

Principal Charles Bates.

………The 1955 release stated, “Discovery of long lost document describing the bravery of Yankee

Division hero Simeon L. Nickerson was announced by officials of American Legion Post 64. The

long lost document came to light while Principal Henry Burkland was examining papers from the

1954 fire, which destroyed the Bates Junior High school.

………..”Nickerson, for whom Post 64 was named, was a particular favorite of the late Charles

Bates, former Principal of the school that later bore his name, “ the release said.

……….In addition, the May 1955 publicity paperwork stated, “The recently discovered document is

the text of an address made by Mr. Bates on Armistice Day, 1926.” It further stated, “With the

35th anniversary of the Post to be celebrated May 26th, Mr. Bates’ address recalls vividly the

spirit in which the original members gathered to form the local Post “For God and Country…to

safeguard and transmit to posterity the principals of justice, freedom and democracy…”

……….”He (Bates) describes how young Nickerson volunteered to locate an enemy machine gun

nest ’because I have no father or no mother living and I can better be spared than some of the

rest. I am willing to make the sacrifice.’”

……….. “Nickerson and other volunteers (Editor’s note: Michael J. O’Connell and Thomas Ryan)

located the guns and made the sacrifice," reported the release. “He was awarded the

Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism in action,” said Mr. Bates, who

added, “and his name and deed were entered on the records of the Yankee Division.”

…………It is important to note that the comments by Mr. Bates in 1926 about Nickerson

volunteering because he had “no father or no mother” may be well founded.

………..At the time Nickerson was Killed In Action there were a number of Middleboro men serving

with in Company D, 101st Regiment, who may have returned from the war to tell the story of his

heroic sacrifice and that of his two comrades, Michael J. O’Connell and Thomas A. Ryan.

………..Among the Middleboro men serving with Nickerson were Walter Campbell, John Morrison, Emil

Savard, Charles Carver, H. Doucette and Emery Randall of Plymouth. These men may well have

told family members and friends about Nickerson, O’Connell and Ryan’s self sacrifice.

…………………… The Killed In Action trio were cited after their deaths with the awarding of the

Distinguished Service Cross. The citation reads:

..............“For extraordinary heroism in action near Epieds, France, Jul 23, 1918. Sergt.

Nickerson, Corpl. M. J. O’Connell and Pvt. Thomas Ryan volunteered to cross an open field in

front of their company, in order to ascertain the location of enemy machine guns. While

engaged in this courageous enterprise they were shot and killed. The heroic self-sacrifice of

these three men saved the lives of many of their comrades who would have been killed had the

company as a whole.”

……….In the 1955 publicity sheet, post officials “pointed out the importance of Nickerson’s

sacrifice to us today. He was not a regular Army man, but enlisted in the Plymouth Guard,” it

said. “In coming years many like him will see military service, and like him, many will make

the supreme sacrifice.”

……….The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military award. Members of both

Middleboro’s American Legion Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 and the American Legion Jamaica Plain

Post 76, which was originally named for Michael J. O’Connell of Jamaica Plain, have raised

questions as to why the men weren’t awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic and courageous

sacrifices. (Editor’s Note: Thomas A. Ryan, according to military records, was from Boston and

reportedly has a street named after him.)

………..U. S. Senator Scott Brown and Congressman Barney Frank have their office staffs

investigating the situation. It is hoped that Congressional action will provide the input

needed to have the Distinguished Service Cross upgraded to a Medal of Honor for the three men.
............( Writer Bob Lessard is a member of Post 64.)