Today in Wheeling History: December 2--Henry N. Nickerson, a Boatswain's Mate in the U.S. Navy who was was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the seizure of Veracruz in 1914 despite being severely wounded, was born in the Edgwood neighborhood of Wheeling (1888).
Henry Nehemiah Nickerson was born on December 2, 1888 in Edgwood, West Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1907 and served as a Boatswain's Mate. During the United States occupation of Veracruz in 1914, Nickerson showed extraordinary heroism aboard the USS Utah. Though wounded three times, he took charge of a squad to build an barricade under fire, then occupied a dangerous corner position where he was wounded three more times, resulting in the amputation of his left leg. For his conspicuous courage, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 6, 1915, as well as a $100 gratuity. After retiring from the Navy in 1915, Nickerson lived the remainder of his life in Wheeling, West Virginia. He passed away on May 2, 1979 at the age of 90 and was buried with full military honors in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/2a4mdm8x) (https://tinyurl.com/chtxkh8k) (https://tinyurl.com/2b7c5rpw)
Photo Credits: Wikipedia, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Find a Grave
Henry Nehemiah Nickerson was born on December 2, 1888 in Edgwood, West Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1907 and served as a Boatswain's Mate. During the United States occupation of Veracruz in 1914, Nickerson showed extraordinary heroism aboard the USS Utah. Though wounded three times, he took charge of a squad to build an barricade under fire, then occupied a dangerous corner position where he was wounded three more times, resulting in the amputation of his left leg. For his conspicuous courage, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 6, 1915, as well as a $100 gratuity. After retiring from the Navy in 1915, Nickerson lived the remainder of his life in Wheeling, West Virginia. He passed away on May 2, 1979 at the age of 90 and was buried with full military honors in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/2a4mdm8x) (https://tinyurl.com/chtxkh8k) (https://tinyurl.com/2b7c5rpw)
Photo Credits: Wikipedia, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Find a Grave
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