TSGT Willard E. Nichol was born in 1917 most likely in Washington, Wisconsin. He was the 6th of 7 children born to Oscar Asgrimur and Dora (Johnson) Nichol. Both parents were natives of Iceland. His father worked at a creamery making butter but died in 1927. Willard's older siblings supported the family in a number of jobs. By 1940 Willard was making a reported $1600 a year working as a traveling salesman for a machine company while his mother had a boarder to cover at least part of their $35 a month rent.
Sometime in 1941 Willard married Catherine M. Cattelino. They would live at 902 South Ninth Street in Escanaba, Michigan. Willard was drafted in March 1941. He and Catherine would have a daughter in 1942. He attended basic training at Camp Roberts, California and then went to Camp Blanding, Florida before being sent to England in June 1944. TSGT Nichol was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 24 Jul 1944. Initially reported as missing in action, TSGT Nichol was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.
TSGT Nichol is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.
Younger brother, Deane M. Nichol, was drafted but obtained a commission and served in the Army until retirement.
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