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Capt. John L. Nicholson, USN

A 1973 BIOS

Captain John L. Nicholson Jr. entered the Naval service in December 1950 and received his commission upon graduating from Oberlin College in June 1953. He was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1955 at Corpus Christi, Texas.

He reported to Fighter Squadron Sixty-Two and deployed to the Mediterranean in 1956 aboard USSRANDOLPH (CVA-15) and made his second deployment to the Mediterranean in 1958 aboard USS ESSEX (CVA-9). Captain Nicholson joined Attack Squadron One Hundred Forty-Four in November 1962 making two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) in 1963 and 1964. He participated in the first retaliatory strikes against NorthVietnam in August 1964.

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In 1965 he reported aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) as Air Operations Officer making two deployments to Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. Captain Nicholson reported aboard Attack Squadron Fifty-Six in December 1967 ans assumed the duties of Executive Officer in Janurary 1968 aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) for his forth Vietnam deployment. In 1969, as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron Fifty-Six, he deployed with his squadron aboard USS RANGER (CVA-61). In 1970 he took command of Attack Squadron One-Hundred-Twent-Two home ported at NAS Lemoore, California, and made his sixth and final deployment to Vietnam as Operations Officer aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65)  Captain Nicholson assumed command of the USS KAWASHIWI after a tour of duty as Air Operations Officer on CINPACFLT STAFF.

He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star.

Captain Nicholson is married to the former Evelyn Sadona of Schenectady , New York.  They reside in Honolulu with their four children, Paula, Jennifer, Jacquelyn, and Eve.

Goto: 1973 Yearbook