Wartime

Fred Nicholas was drafted into the Army on October 9, 1941, while he was in his senior year at USC School of Journalism at the age of 21.

He was assigned to Camp Roberts for infantry training, which was interrupted by the declaration of war on December 7, 1941. He was then assigned to a Military Police unit stationed in San Francisco which was ordered to round up and imprison people of Japanese descent in a relocation camp located at Tanforan Race Track in San Bruno, California. Fred was a guard at the relocation camp for four months and celebrated his 22nd birthday on guard duty.*

Nicholas attended officers training camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant on October 9, 1942, one year from the date he was drafted into the Army.

Nicholas spent more than two and a half years overseas, serving in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France and the Philippines. He rose to the rank of Captain and served as a platoon leader and company commander until his discharge in February 1946. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

* More than 37 years later, Fred and his business partner Maurice O. (Hap) Smith bought Tanforan Race Track and built a shopping center on the site.

Fred with C Company, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, December 7, 1942.

Fred with C Company, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, December 7, 1942.

San Luis Obispo, California, 1941.

San Luis Obispo, California, 1941.

Headquarters 780th M.P. Battalion, 1942.

Headquarters 780th M.P. Battalion, 1942.

Graduating class, MG Range, OCS Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, October 9, 1942.

Graduating class, MG Range, OCS Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, October 9, 1942.

Willy Cameron, Fred and Ted Michaelis, Manila, August 1945.

Willy Cameron, Fred and Ted Michaelis, Manila, August 1945.

Manila, August 1945.

Manila, August 1945.

Fred and Red Hotarek, Manila, 1945.

Fred and Red Hotarek, Manila, 1945.

Fred, Intramuros, Manilla, September 1945.

Fred, Intramuros, Manilla, September 1945.

Fred with his mother Rose and sister Helen, after becoming Lieutenant, 1942.

Fred with his mother Rose and sister Helen, after becoming Lieutenant, 1942.

Naples, Italy, 1944.

Naples, Italy, 1944.

Palazzo Venezia, Rome, Italy, May 1945.

Palazzo Venezia, Rome, Italy, May 1945.

Foggia, Italy, 1945.

Foggia, Italy, 1945.

Watercolor painting of the Tanforan internment camp by Y. Uchida, July 7, 1942.

Watercolor painting of the Tanforan internment camp by Y. Uchida, July 7, 1942.

Fred Nicholas was honored by Japanese Americans who were imprisoned at the Tanforan Prison as well as by family members of those incarcerated at the Journey to Tanforan Reunion Luncheon. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Japanese Cultural

Fred Nicholas was honored by Japanese Americans who were imprisoned at the Tanforan Prison as well as by family members of those incarcerated at the Journey to Tanforan Reunion Luncheon. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, June 2, 2007.)

Fred Nicholas speaking at the Journey to Tanforan Reunion Luncheon held by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California,

Fred Nicholas speaking at the Journey to Tanforan Reunion Luncheon held by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, June 2, 2007.)