THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 1, 1996 TAG: 9610010225
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PUNTA GORDA, FLA. LENGTH: 27 lines
Archibald Thomas Nicholson Jr., 79, formerly of Virginia Beach, died Sept. 28, 1996.
He had resided in Punta Gorda for two years. Capt. Nicholson was born July 2, 1917, in Tarboro, N.C., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1940. He was the officer of the deck aboard the USS California on Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in numerous naval actions during World War II, commanded the destroyer USS Strong during the Korean War and later had command of the fleet oiler USS Neosho.
During Vietnam, he was on-scene operational commander of logistics forces off the coastal waters of that country. After three years' duty in the office of the chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, Capt. Nicholson retired in 1970 after 30 years of service. He held numerous decorations and citations for bravery and skill, most awarded during combat. After retirement, he organized and was in charge of the Norview High School NJROTC unit for 10 years.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Gilberta; a son, Douglas, of Virginia Beach; a daughter, Nancy VanEvera of Calumet, Mich.; a brother, Henry Gilliam Nicholson of Raleigh, N.C.; and five grandchildren.
Services will be held at a time to be announced at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Md.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB