William Nichols (Medal of Honor)

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William Nichols (c. 1837–date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor during the American Civil War. Born in New York City, he served as a quartermaster aboard the USS Brooklyn. On August 5, 1864, at the Battle of Mobile Bay, he fought his gun with skill and courage under heavy enemy fire. For this, he received the Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864. The official citation notes that despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men, Nichols kept firing his gun, helping to defeat the Confederate ram Tennessee and to bombard Fort Morgan.