Oral Nichols was born on Jan. 24, 1922 at Leatherbark, Calhoun Co., WV.

At age, 20, he enlisted into the US Army at Clarksburg, WV. and was assigned to the 83rd Infantry Division, 331st Regiment, Headquarters Company as a light truck driver hauling men, supplies and equipment in combat and under field conditions. He also served as a communications lineman. The 83rd. Infantry Division was also known as Thunderbolt and Ohio Division.

On Jan. 9, 1943, he married Lucy Oval Davisson in Roane Co., WV. and continued in service to his country.

He fought with his unit in Northern France, Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe.

He was honorably discharged on Oct. 5, 1945 in Maryland and returned home to his wife in Calhoun Co., where he excelled as a vehicle body repairman.