William L. Nicholson III

Born in St. Louis, MO, on March 9, 1926, to William L. Nicholson, Jr., and Irene Ramspott. Major General Nicholson, Bill to his friends, moved to Union, MO, with his parents and sister, Mary (Cohagan), when he was 14. There, he met the love of his life, ‘Windy’, and became active in all team sports at Union High School. Notably, his basketball team won the 1943-1944 state championship for the first and only time.

Two hours after graduation in May of that same year, he entered military service as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Forces. At the end of World War II, he returned to civilian life playing shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals’ AAA team. When he married Windy in 1947, he began his college studies, and in June 1950, graduated from St. Louis University’s Parks College with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Aeronautical Engineering and Meteorology. He later furthered his education graduating from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL (1960), and the National War College of Fort Lesley J. McNair, DC, where he concurrently earned a master's degree in International Relations from The George Washington University (1970).

After graduation from Parks College, Nicholson completed his Reserve Officers' Training Corps requirements, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force and returned to active duty in September 1950. He received his pilot wings the following year at (Williams Air Force Base, AZ) then attended F-84 combat crew training (Luke AFB, AZ).

In March 1952, Nicholson was assigned to the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing in Korea. Notably, while on a combat mission over North Korea, he was shot down, evaded capture and returned to the wing to complete his combat tour of duty. When he returned to the US, he was assigned to McCoy AFB, FL, training pilots in F-84s and T-33s for combat in Korea. Between 1954 and 1959, he was stationed at McConnell AFB, KS, (Director of Materiel, 3520th Tactical Fighter Group), and Randolph AFB, TX (Headquarters Air Training Command, Air Operations Officer).

Nicholson transferred to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam as Air Operations Adviser to the Republic’s Air Force 1st Fighter Squadron. During this tour of duty, he flew 200 combat missions in A-1 Skyraiders. Because of his combat experience he was selected by the Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces to serve as Staff Officer in the Directorate of Plans at Hickam Air Force Base, HI.

In 1964, Nicholson transferred to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC, serving as a staff officer in the Directorate of Plans, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations. Two years later, he was assigned to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Executive Officer to the Director for Operations). In 1969 he entered the National War College, then transferred the following year to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, where he flew F-4s in preparation for another combat tour of duty in Southeast Asia. Upon the 1971 reduction in forces in Southeast Asia, he was assigned to Grissom Air Force Base, IN, as Vice Commander, 305th Air Refueling Wing.

The following year, he transferred to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, to assume the position of Commander, 301st Air Refueling Wing (KC-135s). The wing soon transferred to Don Muang Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. While there, he organized and commanded the 310th Strategic Wing at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield. He moved with elements of 310th wing to Clark Air Base, the Philippines, organized the 4102nd Air Refueling Squadron, and participated in Linebacker II, the 11-day air operation over North Vietnam in December 1972. He and his unit returned to Lockbourne a month later.

In the years that followed Vietnam, Nicholson assumed command and directed the reconstitution of the 97th Bombardment Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, AR (1973); transferred to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-5) as Assistant Deputy Director for Force Development and Strategic Plans (1974); was Deputy Director for Operations (Strategic and General Operations), Joint Staff (1975); was Commandant of The Air Command and Staff College (1975); vice Commander, Fifteenth Air Force (1978).

Nicholson was promoted to Major General April 1, 1977, and became Director of The Defense Mapping Agency in July 1979, until his retirement July 1, 1981.

Major General Nicholson’s military decorations and awards include: Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Army Commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation emblem; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

In retirement, Major General Nicholson continued his love of sports through coaching his grandsons in baseball and playing golf weekly until age 92, averaging 10 plus strokes below his age. He was also very active in church activities at Messiah Lutheran in Alexandria, VA, his church of 55 years.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by daughters Beverley Benda (John) of Alexandria; Diedre Nicholson Lamb of Springfield; grandsons Jason (Caitlin); Wm Nicholas Lamb; Joshua Lamb; great grandchildren Carson and Jocelyn Benda. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Wanda Loyd Nicholson.

Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be made at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations/memorials may be made to the family who are creating an athletic scholarship at Union High School in Bill’s name.