U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy

William Nichols

• Also Known As: Nichols, Barzilla
• Rank: Quartermaster
• Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
• Unit/Command:
  U.S.S. Brooklyn
• Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
• Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
• Medal of Honor Action Place: Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA

On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during the successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the ram Tennessee, in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks from stem to stern, Nichols fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.