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 North American F-100D Super Sabre Length 49.51 ft | 15.09 m Width 38.75 ft | 11.81 m Height 16.24 ft | 4.95 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney J 57-P21 turbojet with afterburning generating 17,000lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 20,999 lbs | 9,525 kg MTOW 34,833 lbs | 15,800 kg Max Speed 864 mph | 1,390 km/h | 751 kts Max Range 1,995 miles | 3,210 km Ceiling 45,000 ft | 13,716 m | 8.5 miles Climb Rate 16,000 ft/min (4,877 m/min) Hardpoints 6 Armament 4 x 20mm cannons
External hardpoints for an additional 7,500lbs of ordnance including: Dumb Bombs, Drop Tanks and Rocket Pods. Accommodations 1
Major Variants * F-100A - Initial Production Model * F-100B - Proposed Mach 2 / nuclear-capable fighter-bomber; would go on to become the YF-107 prototype series. * F-100C - Fighter-Bomber Variant with improvements; inflight refueling capability; more powerful engine. * F-100D - Fighter-Bomber Variant with improvements; fitted with ECm equipment and low-altitude bombing system.