Obituary of Sergeant Major Martin T. Nicholas

Sergeant Major Martin T. Nicholas, “Nick” 79 years, of Mount Laurel NJ, passed away on November 3, 2022. Beloved husband for 51 years of Patricia Nicholas (née Cielenski). Loving father of Lisa Gordon (Jim) and Joe Vacanti. Dear brother of George Nicholas and the late Dolores Caporelli. Cherished grandfather of Christine Prendergast, AJ Vacanti, Ian Vacanti and Mia Vacanti.
 

Sergeant Major Martin T. Nicholas enlisted in the NJ Army National Guard on the 5 September 1962. Soon after he was ordered to Basic Training at Fort Dix, NJ. Upon completion of training he proceeded to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for advance training. There he trained as Artillery Operations and Intelligence Specialist and was awarded the skill.

Returning to his unit, Battery C, 1^st Battalion, 112^th Field Artillery, he worked there for several years and was promoted to Sergeant. In 1968 he accepted a full-time position as a Federal Technician with Headquarters Battery and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In 1971 he was reassigned back to Headquarters Battery as the Battalion Operations Sergeant and accepting an active-duty tour (AGR) was promoted to Master Sergeant. Continually honing his operations skills, he was transferred to the Division Artillery Operations and promoted to Sergeant Major and served there for next 9 years in that position. During the downsizing of the military, the 50^th Armored Division Artillery was deactivated. He then was assigned to various units for short tours until assigned to an operation sergeant position at the Regional Training Site Maintenance at Fort Dix, NJ. Employing management techniques developed through his career this school was recognized as the best of its kind by the accreditation team of the United States Army Combined Arms Command. On the fourth day of September two thousand and two Sergeant Major Nicholas completed 40 years of service. He retired January 31, 2003.

Sergeant Major Nicholas’s Military awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (3^rd award), Army Commendation Medal (6^th award), Army Achievement Medal (4^th award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3^rd award), Army Good Conduct Medal (4^th award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (4^th award), NCO professional Development Ribbon (3^rd award), NJ Medal of Honor, NJ Good Conduct Medal, NJ Merit Award, NJ State Service Ribbon and NJ Recruiting Ribbon. In special tribute from the Field Artillery Association at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Sergeant Major Nicholas was awarded the Field Artillery’s Ancient Order of St. Barbara, and from the Ordinance Association, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland he was awarded the Order of Samuel Sharpe. These recognitions were for his contributions in the Filed Artillery and the Ordinance fields.

Sergeant Major Nicholas’s memberships in professional and civic organizations include Life memberships in The Sergeants Major Association, NCO Association of the United States Army, Enlisted Association of the National Guard, The Camden Light Artillery Association, The Trenton Artillery Officer Association. Also, a long-time membership in the American Legion.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Monday November 14, 2022 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and again Tuesday morning from 9:30AM to 10:30AM at the DANKS-HINSKI FUNERAL HOME, 125 N. WHITE HORSE PIKE, LINDENWOLD NJ 08021. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish St. Lawrence Church, 135 N. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold. Interment with Military Honors to follow in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran's Memorial Cemetery 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown NJ 08562. To leave lasting condolences or photos, please use the links on this page.