This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Nichols, Franklin Allen, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Holdenville, Oklahoma
Last Address El Paso, Texas
Date of Passing Sep 16, 2002
Location of Interment Fort Bliss National Cemetery (VA) - Fort Bliss, Texas
He destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 probable and 1 damaged in WWII.
His AFDSM citation:
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Franklin A. Nichols (AFSN: FR-4809/ASN: 0-412144), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, SEVENTH Air Force, Republic of Vietnam, from 15 June 1966 to 1 November 1967. During this period, General Nichols was responsible for advising the Commander on the full range of activities encompassed in the command mission and for formulating policy guidance to assist the staff to accomplish its functional responsibilities. Exhibiting outstanding abilities as a leader and staff officer, General Nichols, through applications of his wide experience in tactical air warfare and superior management skill, fulfilled these myriad responsibilities with unerring timeliness and accuracy. General Nichols' achievements in this important assignment are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Action Date: June 15, 1966 - November 1, 1967 Service: Air Force
Rank: Brigadier General
He was also awarded a foreign medal that is not shown; see below.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Curtiss P-40N / Kittyhawk IV Length 33.46 ft | 10.20 m Width 37.47 ft | 11.42 m Height 12.37 ft | 3.77 m Engine(s) 1 x Allison V-1710--81 inline piston engine generating 1,360hp. Empty Weight 6,005 lbs | 2,724 kg MTOW 8,858 lbs | 4,018 kg Max Speed 378 mph | 609 km/h | 329 kts Max Range 240 miles | 386 km Ceiling 38,156 ft | 11,630 m | 7.2 miles Climb Rate 2,142.86 ft/min (653 m/min) Hardpoints 1 Armament 6 x 12.7mm machine guns 1 x 500lb bomb under fuselage Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* Model 75I - Prototype Base Model derived from XP-37A airframe fitted with Allison 1,150hp V-1710-11 inline engine. * P-40 - United States Army Air Corps production version fitted with V-1710-33 powerplant. * Hawk 81-A1 - Export model for French use. * P-40B - Improved model featuring improved armor and armament with seal-sealing fuel tanks. * P-40C - Additional 2 x 12.7mm machine guns added to wings; improved seal-sealing fuel tanks. * P-40D - Fitted with V-1710-39 generating 1,150hp; increase performance at high altitude; improved supercharger. * P-40E - Only 4 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings. * P-40F - Improved supercharger. * P-40L - Similar to the P-40F with improved supercharger and 1,300hp Packard V-1650-1 (license-built 1,300hp Rolls-Royce Merlin) powerplant. * P-40K - Based on the P-40E model with V-1710-33 powerplant. * P-40M - Fitted with V-1710-71 powerplant. * P-40N - Fitted with V-1710-81 OR V1710-99 OR V1710-115 powerplants; improved performance capabilities; decreased overall weight.
