Daniel Clement Nichols was born on April 9, 1943. His home of record is Westfield, NJ. A 1961 graduate of Westfield High School, Daniel was a state champion swimmer and captain of the high school swimming team. He led the team to the New Jersey State title in 1961. Upon graduation from Westfield High School, he was awarded the Eljabar Foundation Scholarship for Leadership and Sportsmanship. He was active in the Boy Scouts, YMCA and later was a volunteer with the Westfield Rescue Squad. He received a Bachelors Degree in Education from the University of Indiana and was teaching in the Bloomington Schools while working towards his Master’s degree prior to entering the US Marine Corps.
Nichols was executive officer of Delta Battery, 2/12th Marines, Third Marine Division, and had been in action from Laos to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He was awarded the Silver Star for heroism in combat during special ceremonies near the DMZ.
He had been serving in Vietnam since September 1968, after having been named Platoon Honor Man and receiving his commission at Quantico, VA in November 1967. He had been promoted to First Lieutenant (1LT) in January 1969.
On May 13, 1969, at the age of 26, Nichols was killed in action in South Vietnam, Quang Tri Province when he suffered fragmentation wounds to the body when a trash fire accidentally spread to artillery shells.
Nichols left behind his wife, Rita Adeock, his parents, a brother, four sisters, and an 8-month-old son, Michael.
Sources: Newspaper clippings and NJVVMF, Photo from VVMF.
12/17/2024
