Killed or Wounded—
WAR TRAGEDY STRIKES HOME HERE
Casualties Bring the Battle Closer to the Midwest
The COLD hand of sorrow has been laid on the hearts of many American mothers and fathers since that December Sabbath when the Japanese attacked Oahu, and parents of Sioux City and the surrounding territory have felt their share of grief over the boys who aren’t coming back.
Two Sioux City youths are “missing in action” and several have been wounded in action in the Pacific ocean. Sioux City residents had relatives either killed or wounded.
No Official Lists
Compilation of a list of casualties since the war began is difficult because all information concerning the sailors and soldiers involved must come from relatives. No official casualty lists are being issued.
The dead or missing youths from Sioux City are Harry Ernest Nichols, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Nichols, 2309 S. Palmetto street, and Kenneth Leroy Bosley, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence A. Bosley, 1124 22d street.
Both of Sioux City’s first dead of the new world war probably were killed in the initial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, although details of their deaths are shrouded by the censorship. Young Nichols was a storekeeper aboard a battleship and Kenneth Bosley was an electrician, third class, in the Navy.
Harry Nichols, was a graduate of East high school. At home he is mourned by his parents and a 16-year-old sister, Betty Lou. Harry also has a brother, Norman, in the army to “carry on.” Norman’s location is not know.
Mr. Nichols is a government meat inspector in the packing plants here.
(See Photo) Harry Nichols, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Nichols, 2309 S. Palmetto street, killed in Jap attack on Pearl Harbor.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 18, 1942
School Holds Memorial Rites
14 Former East Junior Pupils Dead in Present War
Students and parents bowed their heads Friday afternoon at East Junior School in respect to former boys of that institution who have given their lives that free education might continue.
It was the Schools Memorial Day observance. In song and story, tribute was paid to the 14 former students who have lost their lives in the present conflict.
An imitation monument—one that had been used at like services at the school in other years—was centered on the stage of the auditorium.
Parents and friends of those who have been killed or died in service, sat in a group on one side of the hall.
Rev. Frank G. Bean, pastor of Grace Methodist Church, delivered the address. He declared that those students had died so that this country might continue with its system of free education whereby all may learn the truth in history.
At the conclusion of the service, students placed a wreath at the names on the gold star list. They later will be added to a roll that will be placed in the front hall.
Former student’s names on Friday’s list were Harry E. Nichols, Luverne Trimborn, LeLand Christensen, Robert Sogge, Frank Voloshan, Clelland Kammon, Casmer Lukowicz, Alder L. Nystrom, Harry Ellsworth, Bruce Brink, Raymond Lynch and Melvin McKnight.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 28, 1943
IOWA HONOR ROLL
These Iowans, like those pictured here on previous Sundays, have given their lives for their country. They are men who have died in actual combat or in prison camps. The fourth line under each name designates the theatre of war in which they were serving. Other pictures will be published later.
Source: The DesMoines Register, Sunday, February 13, 1944 (photo included)
Harry E. Nichols was born Aug. 16, 1920 to Ernest and Florence Amy Lowell Nichols. He died Dec. 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor and is memorialized at the USS Oklahoma Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and at the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Petty Officer Nichols served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37).
Source: ancestry.com
The remains of Harry E. Nichols were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounty Agency (DPAA) on May 30, 2019. He will be buried May 13, 2022 next to his parents in Sioux City, IA.
Nichols name appears on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. A rosette will be placed next to his name to show he was identified.
Source: ancestry.com; www.dpaa.mil
SK3C Harry E. Nichols
Sioux City
SK3C Harry E. Nichols, 21, of Sioux City died on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, while serving his country on the USS Oklahoma.
Graveside services with Full Military Rites provided by the United States Navy will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held so the community can pay their respects from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel. Please meet at the Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. so we can proceed to the cemetery.
Harry was born in Sioux City on Aug. 16, 1920, the son of Ernest and Florence Nichols. He attended and graduated from Sioux City East High School. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was serving as a Storekeeper Third Class.
Harry E. Nichols remains were identified on May 30, 2019, but due to covid pandemic the burial services were delayed. He will be buried next to his parents and his brother, Norman.
Harry is survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Norman; and sister, Betty, all of whom died before seeing their brother's remains identified and returned to Sioux City.
Source: Sioux City Journal from May 1 to May 8, 2022
