Veterans’ Service officials are asking for the public’s help in locating any living descendants of Sgt. Simeon L. Nickerson, a World War I soldier killed in action on July 23, 1918, whose bravery saved the lives of many in his company.

Nickerson, along with Cpl. M.J. O’Connell and Pvt. Thomas Ryan — both also from Massachusetts — volunteered to walk into an open field to draw enemy machine gun fire so their company could locate the opposition guns and advance. 

Volunteering meant almost certain death. Nickerson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, but efforts have been underway to upgrade that honor to the Medal of Honor.

Stephen Adelman, Middleboro Veterans’ Services Officer, is working with Robert Lessard, a past American Legion commander and current Post 64 historian, who has been advocating for the upgrade for the past 15 years.

Nickerson was born in Rochester and moved to Middleboro at age 6. His mother died when he was 3, and his father passed away three years later. He was raised by his grandparents on Warren Avenue in Middleboro.

Anyone who believes they may be related to Nickerson is asked to contact the Middleboro Veterans’ Services Office at 508-946-2407.