Effort ongoing for Middleboro native to receive medal of honor

MIDDLEBORO -- When a volunteer was needed to serve a mission in World War I that was almost certain to result in death, Middleboro native Sgt. Simeon Nickerson raised his hand.

Nickerson agreed on July 23, 1918 to cross an open field near Epieds France to draw enemy machine gun fire. This would provide Nickerson’s Company D, 101st infantry valuable information on the enemy’s location.

But this would also lead, Nickerson knew, to the volunteer’s almost certain death.

Being unmarried and childless, Nickerson, who lived on Warren Avenue, stepped up. As was feared, Nickerson, along with two fellow soldiers, was killed in the effort.

 “The courage of Sergeant Nickerson and his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the lives of his own men gave an example of the highest order of heroism and comradeship,’’ Nickerson’s commander later wrote.

 Nickerson received the distinguished service cross, the military’s second highest honor, for his heroism.

 He deserves the top honor, according to Town military historian Robert Lessard and Middleboro Veterans Service Officer Steve Adelman.

 Nickerson’s efforts, both men say, deserve the highest accolade a service member can receive, the Medal of Honor. This medal represents the highest and most prestigious military award presented to United States service members.

 Lessard has been working for more than 15 years to bestow the honor on Nickerson. An aficionado of medal of honor history, Lessard has received autographs from 75 recipients and has read the stories of many of the 3,547 honorees.

Nickerson’s heroism, in his opinion, is no less worthy of the honor.

“He was willing to sacrifice himself for his unit, to expose himself to find enemy fire,’’ Lessard said.

Lessard has spent years making his case to military and political officials. He has been supported by Adelman, and the two men are scheduled to meet soon with a representative of U.S. Rep. William Keating, whose Congressional district includes Middleboro.

Nickerson’s receipt of the Medal of Honor would need Congressional approval, Adelman said.

“He went above and beyond to save troops from his unit,’’ Adelman said. The Medal of Honor is warranted, he said, for “anyone who displayed these heroic efforts.’’

Nickerson’s name, of course, is a familiar one in Middleboro. American Legion Post 64 bears his name, as does the roadway adjacent to Town Hall.

 If Lessard and Adelman have their way, the name will also be connected to the greatest military honor of all.