William Jones Nicholson

William Jones Nicholson
From 1920's The History and Achievements of the Fort Sheridan Officers' Training Camps
Nickname(s)	Slicker Bill[1] Nick[2]
Born	(1856-01-16)January 16, 1856 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	December 20, 1931(1931-12-20) (aged 75) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1876–1920
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	United States Army Cavalry Branch
Commands	Troop C, 7th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment 2nd Cavalry Regiment Citizens' Military Training Camp, Fort Sheridan, Illinois 5th Cavalry Regiment 11th Cavalry Regiment Officer Candidate School, Fort Sheridan, Illinois 157th Infantry Brigade 79th Division 152nd Depot Brigade
Battles / wars	American Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Pancho Villa Expedition World War I
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Honor (Officer) (France) Croix de Guerre (France)
Spouse(s)	Harriet Fenlon (m. 1883–1931, his death)
Children	2
Relations	Reginald F. Nicholson (brother)
Other work	President, Army and Navy Club of America

William Jones Nicholson (January 16, 1856 – December 20, 1931) was a career officer in the United States Army. He attained the rank of brigadier general during World War I as commander of the 157th Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 79th Division. He was most notable for leading his brigade to victory during the September 1918 Battle of Montfaucon, part of the first phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross.

A native of Washington, D.C., and the son of a career United States Navy officer, Nicholson was educated in Washington and in 1876 successfully applied for a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He served primarily with the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and advanced through the ranks to command the regiment's 1st Squadron, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 5th Cavalry Regiment, and 11th Cavalry Regiment. Nicholson was a veteran of the American Indian Wars (including the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre), Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and Pancho Villa Expedition. He was temporarily promoted to brigadier general for World War I and commanded the 157th Infantry Brigade. Nicholson led his brigade during the capture of Montfaucon, and continued in command during subsequent fighting. After the war, he commanded the 152nd Depot Brigade, where he oversaw the demobilization and discharge of soldiers returning home after the Armistice.

Nicholson retired as a colonel in 1920 and resided in Washington, D.C. In 1927, he was restored to the rank of brigadier general on the Army's retired list. He died in Washington on December 20, 1931, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.^[3]