Print This Page

Corporal (Marine Corps) Lieutenant Colonel (Army) Robert Elmo Nichols

An African American Veteran, wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers hat and shirt with a Congressional Gold Medal.
  • Unit: 51st Defense Battalion
  • Date of Birth: September 23, 1923
  • Entered the Military: June 17, 1943
  • Date of Death: August 14, 2014
  • Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia
  • Place of Death: Norfolk, Virginia
  • Award(s): Congressional Gold Medal, National Defense Medal
  • Cemetery: Section 15, Grave 583. Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia
Contributed by Sydney Hodge, Noel Mateo-Caraballo, and Chase Medlin
Mentored by Mr. Wesley Young
Camden County High School
2025/2026

Early Life

Robert Elmo Nichols was born on September 23, 1923, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was born to Jeffrey Napoleon Nichols and Maggie Beatrice Sykes Nichols. Robert had five siblings: Ann, Catherine, Bernadine, Bernard, and James. The 1940 census indicates that the family may have lived off daughter Annie’s income as a public school teacher. 

During Robert’s childhood in Norfolk, he attended Booker T. Washington High School. 

After graduating from high school in 1943, Nichols enrolled in the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College. The summer before he started college, he worked at Big Star, a grocery store chain, as a porter.

The Nichols family, living in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1940. National Archives and Records Administration.
Robert Elmo Nichols’s World War II draft registration card, June 30, 1942. Portions are redacted for privacy reasons. National Archives and Records Administration.

Homefront

During World War II, Norfolk was primarily known as a shipbuilding center, producing ships for the United States Navy. Due to the high demand for labor to build ships for our military effort in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of World War II, Norfolk experienced a significant population increase prior to and during the war. 

Many of these individuals were employed by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company or the Norfolk Navy Yard. During World War II, these two locations employed a combined 63,000 workers. The Norfolk Navy Yard built thirty major ships. In addition, the yard built twenty landing ship tanks (LSTs), designed to carry tanks ashore. In addition, more than 6,000 ships were repaired or overhauled here during the war. 

Like many patriotic Americans, Norfolk had Victory Gardens and rationed supplies. Norfolk was home to the Smith Street United Service Organization (USO) Club, a club for servicemembers of color. Like the military during World War II, the USO clubs were segregated. 

The American Red Cross comforted sailors and civilians at Naval Base Norfolk by serving coffee and donuts. As a result, these female volunteers became known by the nickname “Donut Dollies.” Additionally, at Naval Station Norfolk, many women served in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program in support roles to free up men for active duty. The Norfolk Community also created a War Fund for the military.

Historical map showing Norfolk, Virginia, c.1900. Encyclopedia Britannica.
An integrated group of men and women reporting for work.
A group of workers arrives at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for work. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (92288400).
The USS Alabama under construction.
The battleship Alabama was built at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The crew prepared to launch the ship on February 15, 1942. World War II Database.
Two African American service members speak with three USO volunteers.
Troops sit down at a service club and enjoy sodas with junior hostesses wearing both civilian clothes and USO uniforms. Mariners Museum (P0003/01#F-11158).

Military Experience

Robert Elmo Nichols enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps on June 17, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia. Nicols and other African American Marines were trained at Montford Point Camp, a segregated camp at Camp Lejeune. Nichols and other Black Marines faced Jim Crow laws, segregation, and racial slurs while training under White officers at Montford Point. 

In July of 1943, he was assigned to the Special Weapons Group of the 51st Defense Battalion and received training on the 37mm Ammunition Anti-Aircraft (AAA) gun. In January 1944, he was promoted to private first class and transferred to Camp Linda Vista on the outskirts of Camp Elliot in San Diego, California, to prepare for deployment to the Pacific in the spring of 1944. 

In February 1944, the 51st Defense Battalion sailed west and replaced units already serving in the Ellice Islands, including Nanumea, Funafuti, and Nukufetau. In September 1944, the units were moved to Eniwetok Atoll to take up defensive positions. 

In November of 1945, Nichols and other members of the 51st Defense Battalion boarded USS Wyandot and sailed to Hawaii. By February 1942, they returned to Montford Point Camp. In the process, Montford Point Marines traveling by train were regarded as second-class citizens, forced to move to train cars behind Prisoners of War. 

Nichols was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps on February 5, 1946, at Montford Point Camp in New River, North Carolina, as a proud member of the 51st Defense Battalion, 2nd Battalion, Company C.

Following his graduation from Virginia State College, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel and serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. 

Members of the 51st Defense Battalion training on artillery at Montford Point, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Wikimedia Commons.
Nichols and other members of the 51st Defense Battalion left Eniwetok Atoll aboard USS Wyandot, November 1945. Portions have been redacted for privacy reasons. National Archives and Records Administration.
Nichols and other members of the 51st Defense Battalion left Eniwetok Atoll aboard USS Wyandot. Naval History and Heritage Command (NH 107741).
Robert Elmo Nichols’s report of separation, detailing his military service, February 5, 1946. Portions have been redacted for privacy reasons. National Archives and Records Administration.
Robert Nichols registered for the Korean War draft while a student at Virginia State College, August 31, 1948. National Archives and Records Administration.
Robert Nichols registered for the Korean War draft while a student at Virginia State College, August 31, 1948. National Archives and Records Administration.

Veteran Experience

After World War II, Robert Elmo Nichols completed his education at Virginia State College, earning a degree in Business Administration in 1948. He continued his service with the U.S. Army Reserves while working as a teacher, and later, at the Norfolk Naval Supply Center, a fleet logistics center that provides supplies and logistics to the Norfolk waterfront.

He met his wife, Lena Leigh Johnson, and they married in 1951. They were married for 64 years. Together, they had six children: Pamela Anne, Robert Jr., Gail, Sharon, Kimberly, and William. In 1962, their daughter Pamela Ann died after a short illness at age five.

After retiring from the Army Reserve, Nichols enjoyed time with his twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Tidewater Chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association and a member of the New Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk.

In 2012, Nichols and the Montford Point Marines were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Nichols’s college identification card for the 1948-1949 academic year at Virginia State College. Courtesy of the Nichols Family.
Marriage license for Robert Elmo Nichols and Lena Leigh Johnson, February 17, 1951. Commonwealth of Virginia.
Nichols was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012. Courtesy of the Nichols Family.

Commemoration

Leaving a legacy of duty and service, Robert Nichols passed away on August 14, 2014. He is buried with his wife, Lena, at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia.

Several members of the Nichols family. Courtesy of the Nichols Family.
Robert Nichols with family members. Courtesy of the Nichols Family.
Robert Nichols, with his son, William. Courtesy of the Nichols Family.
Students gather with members of the Nichols family at Robert Nichols’s grave at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, March 13, 2026. Courtesy of Wesley Young. 

Bibliography

Primary Sources

“50 Norfolk Division Students Make Semester Honor Roll.” New Journal and Guide [Norfolk, Virginia], April 24, 1948. Newspapers.com (1135901269). 

African-American Marines of the 51st Defense Battalion are shown here in training at Montford Point, Camp Lejeune, before their deployment to the Pacific War. Photograph. U.S. Marine Corps. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:51st-defense-battalion-camp-lejeune.jpg.

Battleship Alabama being prepared for launching, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. Photograph. February 15, 1942. World War II Database. https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=18092. 

Executive Order 8802. June 25, 1941. National Archives and Records Administration (NAID: 300005). https://catalog.archives.gov/id/300005.

“Nichols.” New Journal and Guide [Norfolk, Virginia], August 4, 1962. Newspapers.com (1138278520). 

Nichols, William, and Nichols Jr., Robert. Telephone interview. January 5, 2026.

“Norfolk Division Graduates Addressed by Dr. Mays.” New Journal and Guide [Norfolk, Virginia], June 5, 1948. Newspapers.com (1135902424). 

Norfolk War History Commission, World War II, Records, 1941-1946. Sergeant Memorial Collection. Norfolk Public Library. https://smcarchives.libraryhost.com/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=734&q=&rootcontentid=91713#id91713.

“Pamela Nichols.” The Virginian-Pilot [Norfolk, Virginia], July 18, 1962. Newspapers.com (846436258). 

“Recent Marriage Announced.” New Journal and Guide [Norfolk, Virginia], March 3, 1951. Newspapers.com (1137391128). 

Robert Elmo Nichols. Korean War Draft Cards, 1948-1959. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com.

Robert Elmo Nichols, Official Military Personnel File (partial), Department of the United States Marine Corps. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis

Robert Elmo Nichols. U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015. Digital images. http://ancestryclassroom.com.

Robert Elmo Nichols. U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com.

Robert Elmo Nichols. U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949. Digital images. http://ancestryclassroom.com.

Robert Nichols. Virginia, U.S., Virginia Marriages, 1936-2014. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com.

USS Wyandot. Photograph. c.1950s. Navy History and Heritage Command (NH 107741). https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-107000/NH-107741.html. 

Virginia. Norfolk City. 1940 US Census. Digital images. http://ancestryclassroom.com

Secondary Sources

“Building Towards Victory: The World War II Population Boom of  Norfolk.” The UncommonWealth: Voices from the Library of Virginia Blog. November 6, 2024. Library of Virginia. https://uncommonwealth.lva.virginia.gov/blog/2024/11/06/building-towards-victory-the-wwii-population-boom-of-norfolk/.

“Hampton Roads during WWII: the WACs.” Mariners’ Museum and Park. Last Modified November 24, 2020. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2020/11/hampton-roads-during-wwii-the-wacs/.

“Invasion of Eniwtok Atoll.” National Museum of the United States Navy. Accessed on January 16, 2026. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-pacific/gilbert-marshall-islands-campaign/invasion-marshall-islands/invasion-eniwetok-atoll.html.

King, Laurie. “Hampton Roads During WWII: USO Clubs.” The Mariners’ Museum and Park. Updated February 22, 2021. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2021/02/hampton-roads-during-wwii-uso-clubs/. 

“Lena Leigh Nichols.” Altmeyer Funeral and Cremation. Accessed October 27, 2025. https://www.altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/Lena-Leigh-Nichols?obId=31552448.

Melson, Charles D. “African-American Artillery Defense Battalions in World War II.” National Park Service. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/articles/africanamericanaritlleryww2.htm. 

Nalty, Bernard C. The Right to Fight: African-American Marines in World War II. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1995. https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/003075750. 

“Naval Station Norfolk.” United States Navy. Last Modified August 13, 2018. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/organization-and-administration/installations/naval-station-norfolk.html.

“Norfolk.” Encyclopedia of Britannica. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/Norfolk-Virginia#/media/1/418127/13004. 

“Norfolk Naval Shipyard.” The Historical Marker Database. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=76830.

“Norfolk Navy Yard.” World War II Database. Accessed March 17, 2026. https://ww2db.com/facility/Norfolk_Navy_Yard/. 

“Robert E. Nichols Sr.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, National Cemetery Administration. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ROBERTENICHOLSSR/894ad8. 

“Robert Elmo Nichols Sr.” Find A Grave. Updated August 20, 2014. Accessed October 23, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134610015/robert_elmo-nichols.

“Propaganda Posters.” Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://wejunket.com/junkets/Norfolk/Hampton_Roads_Naval_Museum/Propaganda_Posters/. 

“Red Cross Women and Donuts in World War II.” The UncommonWealth: Voices from the Library of Virginia Blog. January 3, 2024. Library of Virginia. https://uncommonwealth.lva.virginia.gov/blog/2024/01/03/red-cross-donuts/.

Robbins, Marcus. “Our Yard History: 10 Norfolk Navy Yard landing ships went to Normandy.” The Flagship. Updated August 2, 2023. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/news/top_stories/our-yard-history-10-norfolk-navy-yard-landing-ships-went-to-normandy/article_a4c5bdfc-315f-11ee-838f-bf1f7d78b4e7.html.

“USS Wyandot.” Hull Number. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-107000/NH-107741.html. 

“Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service: The WAVES Program in World War II.” Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Updated September 14, 2020. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/waves-program-color-world-war-2.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.