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Namesake
	61k	Samuel Nicholas was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1744 and received his commission as Captain of Marines from the Continental Congress 28 November 1775, the earliest existing commission issued in the Continental Naval Service. He joined Continental Ship Alfred as Marine Officer at her commissioning 3 December. On 3 March 1776 he commanded the first amphibious landing of American Marines when the Continental Fleet under Esek Hopkins attacked New Providence in the Bahamas. Leading a party of 200 marines and 50 sailors, Nicholas won Fort Montague, Government House, and Nassau. The capture of New Providence brought badly needed cannon and ammunition to the hard-pressed Continental Army. Promoted to Major 6 June 1776, Nicholas trained Marines for duty at sea and in the field with Washington, becoming virtually Commandant of Marines, although such a title did not then exist. He died in Philadelphia 27 August 1790. Photo from USMC History Division.		Bill Gonyo
USS Nicholas (DD/DDE-449)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the UNITED STATES SHIP NICHOLAS for service as set forth in the following Citation: "For outstanding performance in action against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island, New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands, on the night of July 5–6, 1943. After waging a vigorous battle as part of the small Task Force which destroyed a superior Japanese surface force, the NICHOLAS remained behind with an accompanying destroyer to save the survivors of the torpedoed U.S.S.HELENA. Forced to clear the area on three occasions during rescue operations,she gallantly fought off continuing attacks by Japanese warships emerging from Kula Gulf and, with the other destroyer, sank or damaged an enemy light cruiser and two destroyers with deadly torpedo and gunfire, returning to the area after each onslaught to complete the heroic rescue of more than seven hundred survivors. The valorous achievements of the NICHOLAS reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service." For the President, Frank Knox Secretary of the Navy
	56k	Undated, location unknown. In November 1944 the destroyer Nicholas (DD-449) sank the Japanese submarine I-38, which was armed with Kaiten torpedoes. "Kaiten" type human torpedoes were the first Japanese "Special Attack" weapons, vehicles whose operational use involved the certain death of the crew, though their first successful employment followed that of the "Kamikaze" suicide aircraft by about a month. Proposals for human torpedoes were made in 1943 and were approved in early 1944, initially with provision for the survival of the operator. However, the extreme peril facing Japan after the loss of the Marianas in June 1944 led to acceptance of the pilot's death as an inevitable consequence of "Kaiten" use.		Harold Lind/Bill Gonyo
	267k	Undated, off Hawaii.		Ed Zajkowski/Robert Hurst
	90k	Undated, USS Nicholas (DD-449) blasts the night with gunfire at the peak of the Battle of Vella Lavella, when U.S. destroyer forces intercepted the enemy's Tokyo Express trying to evacuate remnants of his troops from the Central Solomans. Photo and text from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe.		Robert Hurst
	111k	Undated, wounded surviviors from USS Helena being transferred over the gangplank of the rescue ship USS Nicholas (DD-449) after the Battle of Kula Gulf. Photo and text from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe.		Robert Hurst
	50k	Undated, the torpedo gang of USS Nicholas cleaning the torpedo tubes after the Battle of Kula Gulf. Photo and text from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe.		Robert Hurst
	101k	Undated, some of the oil-soaked survivors of USS Helena after being rescued by USS Nicholas. Photo and text from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe.		Robert Hurst
	70k	Undated, at Pearl Harbor.		Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
	132k	Undated, as seen from the USS Nicholas (DD-449), night firing by ships of Task Force 18. The Nicolas' No.3 5" /38 mount is in the foreground. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 80-G-K-2750.		Mike Green
	113k	Undated, as seen from the USS Nicholas (DD-449), ships of Task Force 18 are shelling Japanese Facilities on Kolombangara and New Georgia. Note No.3 5" /38 mount and wake of the ship. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 80-G-K-2751.		Mike Green
	200k	USS O'Bannon (DD-450) and USS Nicholas (DD-449) under construction at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, 1 January 1942. Note: Stamp in upper right does not appear on negative. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-35342.		Mike Green
	273k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) and USS O'Bannon (DD-450) under construction at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, 1 January 1942. Note: Stamp in upper right does not appear on negative. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-35340.		Mike Green
	344k	Looking forward, USS O'Bannon (DD-450) and USS Nicholas (DD-449) under construction at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, 1 January 1941. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-35343.		Mike Green
	70k	Sponsor Mrs. Edward B. Tryon prior to christening USS Nicholas (DD-449) at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, 19 February 1942.		Bill Gonyo
	226k	CDR Lewis Corman, CDR J. M. Kiernan, Edward B. Tryon, Mrs. Edward B. Tryon (descendant of Samuel Nicholas) LCDR W. D. Brown and Mr. A. M. Main, vice president of Bath Iron Works at USS Nicholas (DD-449) christening, Bath, Maine, 19 February 1942.		Bill Gonyo
	123k	May 18 1942, Rockland, ME, 25.89 knots a week before commissioning.		Ed Zajkowski
	108k	Nicholas at 361/2 knots during her builder's speed trials off Rockland, Maine, May 28, 1942. Source: United States Naval Institute.		Captain Jerry Mason USN/Destroyer History Foundation
	105k	USS Nicholas running trials off Portland Maine, 28 May 1942.		Ron Titus/Christopher Karwowski
	160k	As above.		Bill Gonyo
	109k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) running trials off Rockland, Maine, 28 May 1942. The ship is painted in Camouflage Measure 12(Modified). Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Photo #: 19-N-36878.		Robert Hurst
	105k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) underway in 1943, location unknown. Image from the 1943-44 Edition of Jane's Fighting Ships.		Robert Hurst
	98k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) refuels from the oiler USS Sabine (AO-25) in 1943. National Archives and Records Administration. Photo # 80-G-57656.		Robert Hurst
	107k	Circa 1943, crewmen of the destroyer USS Nicholas (DD-449) carrying out gun drill with the ship's 5" practrice loading machine. National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD. Photo # 80-G-52854.		Robert Hurst
	105k	Circa 1943, crewmen of the destroyer USS Nicholas, being served on the ship's chow line. With 330 or more officers and men on board, food was always being served on a wartime destroyer. National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD. Photo # 80-G-52058.		Robert Hurst
	104k	Circa 1943, crewmen of the destroyer USS Nicholas eating chow on the mess deck, with berths stowed. National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD. Photo # 80-G-51696.		Robert Hurst
	140k	Circa 1943, crewmen of the destroyer USS Nicholas crowd together in the enlisted men's washroom. National Archives and Records Administration. Photo # 80-G-56063.		Robert Hurst
	158k	Circa 1943, crewmen of the destroyer USS Nicholas attending mail call on her fantail. National Archives and Records Administration. Photo # 80-G-57615.		Robert Hurst
	149k	Circa 1943, crewmen of the destroyer USS Nicholas, at Tulagi, Soloman Islands, use a torpedo crane to replenish the ship with torpedoes after the Battle of Kula Gulf. National Archives and Records Administration. Photo # 80-G-57600.		Robert Hurst
	96k	On 7 May 1943 the USS Nicholas (DD-449) suffered a hang-fire in #53 5"/38cal gun mount. This photo shows the Nicholas shortly after that event before she was repaired at Noumea by replacing the gun with one from the USS Hutchins (DD-476) newly arrived in the area.		Rick E. Davis
	74k	On 12-13 July 1943, while escorting destroyer transports taking troops to Vila, on Kolombangara, the Japanese Sendai class light cruiser Jintsu encountered a superior force of Allied cruisers and destroyers. Hit hard by gunfire from the cruisers USS Honolulu, USS St. Louis and HMNZS Leander, and by a destroyer's torpedo, Jintsu broke in two amidships and sank with the loss of nearly 500 of her crew. These two survivors of the sunken Jintsu, dressed in US Navy uniforms, aboard USS Nicholas (DD-449) were among the very few to survive the sinking.		Bill Gonyo
	103k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) firing her forward 5"/38 guns at Japanese destroyers during the Battle of Vella Lavella, 18 August 1943. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 80-G-58874.		Mike Green
	97k	Navy Photo 358-44, stern view of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) as she headed for Pearl Harbor on 15 Jan 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 15 Dec 43 until 21 Jan 44.		Darryl Baker/John O' Neill
	77k	Navy Photo 360-44, broadside view of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) off San Francisco on 15 Jan 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 15 Dec 43 until 21 Jan 44.		Darryl Baker
	91k	Navy Photo 362-44, bow on view of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) off San Francisco on 15 Jan 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 15 Dec 43 until 21 Jan 44. Oakland Bay Bridge is in the background.		Darryl Baker
	123k	Amidships looking forward plan view of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) at Mare Island on 17 Jan 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 15 Dec 43 until 21 Jan 44.		Darryl Baker
	128k	Amidships looking aft plan view of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) at Mare Island on 17 Jan 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 15 Dec 43 until 21 Jan 44.		Darryl Baker
	120k	January 17 1944 at Mare Island.		Ed Zajkowski
	91k	1945 in Tokyo Bay.		Jose "Andy" Vigil
	180k	September 2 1945, Japanese cross Nicholas to go aboard the USS Lansdowne for trip to surrender ceremony on USS Missouri.		Ed Zajkowski/John O' Neill
	199k	September 2 1945, French officers board Nicholas for trip to the Missouri.		Ed Zajkowski
	135k	Crew members aboard the USS Nicholas (DD 449) check out her score card for the lastest addition during WWII. Photo courtesy of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) Association.		Bill Gonyo
	105k	The USS Nicholas (DD-449) approaches the Golden gate in San Francisco returning home following the end to hostilities in the Pacific. Photo courtesy of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) Association.		Bill Gonyo
	100k	An onboard photo of the USS Nicholas (DD-449) as she was being prepared for conversion to the DDE configuration, 31 January 1949. USN Photo from the NARA BuShips photo collection.		Rick E. Davis
	116k	A June 1950 photo at San Diego NY shows the USS Nicholas (DDE-449), USS O'Bannon (DDE-450), USS Walker (DDE-517) and USS Sproston (DDE-577), returned to Mothballs after being converted to the DDE ASW configuration. All four of these DDE's were armed with of 2-5"/38cal, 5 Torpedo Tubes, Mk-15 ASW Projector, and provisions for 4x2-20mm guns. Also, seen is the USS Killen (DD-593) and several DE's, including USS Raymond (DE-341) and USS Dennis (DE-405) and an APD. Cropped from an USN Photo from the NARA photo files, 80-G-428265.		Rick E. Davis
	204k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) & USS O'Bannon (DD-450) berth at Mare Island on 15 Feb 1951 before their re-commissioning. Photos courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.		Darryl Baker
	242k	USS Nicholas (DD 449) & USS O'Bannon (DD 450) berth at Mare Island on 15 Feb 1951 before their re-commissioning. Photos courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.		Darryl Baker
	155k	New commanding officer and Commander Western Sea Frontier at the re-commissioning of the USS Nicholas (DD 449) & O'Bannon (DD 450) at Mare Island on 19 Feb 1951. Left to right: CDR H. C. Mason (CO, Nicholas), RADM T. R. Cooley & CDR D. J. Carrison (CO, O'Bannon). Photos courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.		Darryl Baker
	158k	USS Nicholas (DDE-449) underway off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California on 2 March 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #: NH 107429.		Darryl Baker/Robert Hurst
	92k	Mare Island Navy Yard March 17 1951.		David Buell
	103k	Mare Island Navy Yard March 17 1951.		David Buell
	94k	Mare Island Navy Yard March 17 1951.		David Buell
	85k	In order to counter the massive Russian submarine fleet and have a more modern type of destroyer in reserve, in case of a crisis, the Nicholas was rebuilt and immediately laid up. She is shown here, on February 16, 1950, newly rebuilt and in the process of being "moth-balled".		-
	115k	Navy Photo 8430-3-51, bow on view of USS Nicholas (DDE 449) departing Mare Island on 2 March 1951.		Darryl Baker
	126k	Navy Photo 8432-3-51, broadside view of USS Nicholas (DDE 449) off Mare Island on 2 March 1951. She was in overhaul at the yard from 19 Feb. to 24 Mar. 1951.		Darryl Baker
	117k	Navy Photo 8434-3-51, stern view of USS Nicholas (DDE 449) departing Mare Island on 2 March 1951.		Darryl Baker
	144k	March 17, 1951 photo of the Nicholas, at Mare Island Navy Yard as converted to an escort. The most visible change, excluding her improved electronics, is the fact that #2 gun mount has been replaced with a Hedgehog, consistent with her new ASW role.		-
	90k	USS Nicholas (DDE-449, ex-DD, after conversion) underway circa 1953, location unknown.		Robert Hurst
	403k	Port quarter overhead of the USS Nicholas (DD-449) at sea after the completion of her 1960 FRAM II upgrade. In this upgrade, the ship was configured with a DASH helo deck and hanger for two drones, and two triple ASW torpedo tubes. United States Navy Official; 1967-68 Jane’s Fighting Ships.		Mike Green
	119k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) underway at sea in June 1964. Nicholas is as fitted during her 1960 FRAM II modernization, with new smokestack caps and a DASH drone helicopter hangar and flight deck. Photographer: PH1 T.J. Meade. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #: NH 107294.		Robert Hurst
	386k	Flying the DASH February 1965, location unknown.		Tommy Trampp
	165k	February 10 1965, ADJ2 D. R. Gloss, leading DASH mechanic, checks over the DASH off the coast of Hawaii. photo by PH3 G. Tucker.		Ed Zajkowski
	134k	Port broadside view of the USS Nicholas (DD-449) underway circa 1966. Her FRAM II profile is clearly seen, the mounting 2-5”/38 mounts, 1-Weapon ALPHA forward and the DASH helo hanger and deck aft, just forward of the stern 5”/38 mount. 1967-68 Jane’s Fighting Ships.		Mike Green
	76k	Circa 1966, location unknown. Images from the 1966/67 Edition of Jane's Fighting Ships.		Robert Hurst
	146k	USS Hornet (CVS-12), USS Cimarron (AO-22) and USS Nicholas (DD-449), during underway replenishment activities off the coast of North Viet Nam, circa 1966. At that time these three ships had accumulated nearly 75 years of Navy service between them. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.		Fred Weiss
	104k	Circa 1968 underway to Vietnam as seen from the USS Intrepid (CVA-11). From the collection of Dennis H. Hough.		Bill Gonyo
	114k	As above.		Gerd Matthes
	137k	USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) steams in formation with USS Nicholas (DD-449) and USS O'Bannon (DD-450) in the Gulf of Tonkin, 6 March 1968. Source: United States National Archives,USN 1130804.		Mike Green
	85k	Pearl Harbor, December 1968		© Richard Leonhardt
	126k	USS Nicholas (DD-449) alongside the USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) at Pearl Harbor, HI, December 1968.		© Richard Leonhardt
	110k 175k	Mainmast in Portland, Oregon and plaque honoring the Nicholas. Located at 7005 NE Marine Drive, Portland, OR 97218.		Ed Zajkowski/Philip Siechen
	47k	Ship's patch		Mike Smolinski
	47k	Ship's patch		Mike Smolinski
	47k	Ship's patch		Mike Smolinski

LCDR William Drane Brown    Jun 4 1942 - Jan 26 1943 (Later VADM)

LCDR Andrew Jewell Hill Jr.    Jan 26 1943 - Dec 10 1943 (Later RADM)

CDR Robert Taylor Scott Keith    Dec 10 1943 - Feb 6 1945 (Later VADM)

CDR Dennis Charles Lyndon    Feb 6 1945 - Dec 22 1945 (Later RADM)

LCDR Arthur Gray Hamilton Jr.    Dec 22 1945 - Apr 22 1946

LCDR John Nance Gardner    Apr 22 1946 - Jun 12 1946

(Decommissioned Jun 12 1946 - Feb 19 1951)

CDR Harry Charles Mason    Feb 19 1951 - Mar 24 1953 (Later RADM)

CDR Joseph Cundiff Eliot    Mar 24 1953 - Jun 14 1955

CDR John Brayshaw Kaye    Jun 14 1955 - Jun 29 1957

CDR Robert Earle Hawthorne    Jun 29 1957 - Jan 14 1959

CDR Edmond Louis Kelley    Jan 14 1959 - May 28 1960

LCDR David Guy Foxwell    May 28 1960 - Jun 25 1960

CDR Ralph Albert Hilson    Jun 25 1960 - Apr 5 1962

CDR David Ervin Cummins III    Apr 5 1962 - Jan 18 1964

CDR Robert Carl Newcomb    Jan 18 1964 - Sep 25 1965

CDR William Benson Hooffstetter    Sep 25 1965 - Aug 3 1967

CDR John Morton Henson    Aug 3 1967 - Jul 23 1969

CDR John Barton Hurd    Jul 23 1969 - Jan 30 1970