Eyewitness Accounts Attest To Bravery of Nickerson, O'Connell & Ryan

...............By BOB LESSARD American Legion Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64

........MIDDLEBORO — Researching World War 1 military records related to the Killed in Action deaths on July 23, 1918 of Sergeant Simeon L. Nickerson of Middleboro, Corporal Michael J. O'Connell of Jamaica Plain and Private Thomas A. Ryan of Boston have produced eyewitness statements concerning that event.

……………As readers of the Gazette are aware, members of the Middleboro Veterans Council and Simeon L. Nickerson American Legion Post 64 are interested in seeking an upgrade to the Medal of Honor from the Distinguished Service Cross awarded posthumously to the three heroes.

……………Eyewitness accounts are very important criteria in a quest for a Medal of Honor.

……………Pertinent information retrieved by the Contemporary Studies Branch, History Division at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. was forwarded to this writer by James C. McNaughton, chief of that U.S. Army unit.

…………….Among the eyewitnesses was Middleboro resident Joseph Doucett of Cross Street, who was serving in Company D, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Division with the three men.

……………Doucett was a Private First Class who had known Simeon Nickerson for some ten years. He was interviewed, while in the hospital recovering from serious wounds, on January 10, 1919 by Katherine C. Bushnell, described as a "searcher,” according to the paperwork.

…………….(Editor's Note: Records list Doucett's last name in several ways: Doucet, Doucette and Doucett, which is how the family spelled the name).

…………….Bushnell's reports states: "Doucet says that on July 22 volunteers were asked for scout work. Nickerson volunteered and he and others were going through a wheat field, their object to capture a German machine gun, but before reaching it Nickerson was instantly killed by a bullet from a machine gun. He was hit three or four different places, one being near the heart.”

……………. Doucet was told all this by a man who was with Nickerson, when he was hit. Nickerson came from the same town as Doucet and had known him for ten years. Doucet is a man of intelligence and is accurate in his statements," according to the Bushnell interview.

………….Doucett was severely wounded in action on October 26, 1918. In a letter home from France dated November 22, 1918 to his aunt Minnie, who was married to Simon Arsenault of Cross Street, he told of his injury. The letter was reprinted in the Middleboro Gazette under a one column headline "Seriously Wounded in France."

………….The letter reads: "Dear Aunt, Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and I hope everyone is well. Aunt, I had a little hard luck. I lost one foot, but don't worry, I am getting along fine. I am in a good hospital and they take good care of me.

………….I hope I will spend Christmas with you. I think I will be in the United States by then, so don't write anymore. I will write when I get there. I will have to go the hospital over there until I get better.

………….Well, this will be all for this time, as it is hard for me to write while on my back. Now, don't worry about me, you will see me coming up Cross Street someday. Give my regards to all. Good bye and good luck... Joseph Doucet."

………….Prior to entering the service Joseph Doucett worked for the Geo. E. Keith Company's Walk-Over shoes. He was employed in the Gang Room of the Middleboro factory until July 21, 1917, when he enlisted in the service, according to the company booklet printed about WW1 employees.

………….He enlisted in Federal Service and reported on July 25, 1917 and was mustered on August 8, 1917 with Company D, 101st Infantry. He was assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces September 7, 1917 through April 25, 1919.

………….And, due to his wounds was hospitalized until his honorable discharge on April 9, 1920. His brother Thomas Doucett served in the U.S. Army in the 16th Cavalry and later with Company A Motor Trucks, 3rd Division Regulars.

………………………………………………………….Other Eyewitnesses

………….Among eyewitness statements concerning Nickerson's death were some conflicting accounts on how he was shot. Several witnesses thought he was shot by a sniper while others state machine gun fire killed him.

………….Private John O'Leary of Dorchester gave this statement while in Base Hospital # 106 on January 17, 1919.

………….. "Nickerson was from Plymouth or down that way. He was in charge of 10 men of us who went over the top North of Chateau Thierry to draw fire in the afternoon. Eight of the men got killed; Nick was the first to get it. He was killed instantly. He was a good scout. We would have all stuck to him through anything. He was the first man I saw killed."

……………..Another eyewitness, Private Alfred Gifford from Plymouth also gave his statement from a hospital. He was interviewed on March 6, 1919 by searcher Edith T. Loux.

……………..He said, "Sgt. Nickerson was out on patrol during the day with scouts; they came to a wheat field. High explosive burst near them and machine gun fire also. He was hit with a machine gun bullet in the head. Death was instantaneous, informant prepared the man for burial. Burial place unknown. Others in patrol were killed at the same time. Maj. M M.W. Corwin could furnish further information. The regimental chaplain conducted the funeral. This occurred on July 23 at Chateau Thierry."

…………… Plymouth resident Private John 0. Cadman reported, "Sgt. Nickerson was killed on the morning of July 22nd or 23rd about three kilometers the other side of Veaux.”

………….. “We were pushing forward and he was shot by a German sniper. We were on the Chateau Theirry drive and into some German. I know he was left on the field quite a while before they could get to him and was dead when brought in. I do not think they got him until the next morning. He was buried about where he fell; within a radius of one or two kilometers. Capt. E P. O'Neil of B Co knows all about him." Cadman was interviewed at Karhoun Hospital on February 6,1919.

…………….Among the remaining eyewitness accounts is that of Captain Frank O'Neil, who was inter-viewed on January 25, 1919, while in Kerhoun Hospital Center. Captain O'Neil stated:

………….."Sgt, Nickerson was what is known as a Battalion Scout Sergeant. He was in charge of a group of four scouts and was trying to locate machine guns. He located one and went after it and another machine gun opened up on their flank and wiped them out. They rushed the nest and reached it but were killed right at the nest. It was a daring piece of work and they had not a chance in the world. Sgt. Nickerson was buried near where he fell, on the field, in the Bois de Barbillon. This was in the Chateau Thierry counter offensive; the date July 23rd is correct."

……………There are a total of 15 eyewitness testimonies related to the heroic death of Simeon L. Nickerson.

......Members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation have been requested to ask the Secretary of the Army for a full review for an upgrade to a Medal of Honor for Nickerson, O'Connell and Ryan.