06-24-04

Mike and I were in the same OCS Platoon at Quantico.  I remember him as a well rounded guy . . . serious when he needed to be and full of fun when it was appropriate.  I remember one incident in particular where we had been on a long mud march and we were all a mess.  Mike walked from the field directly into the shower with all of his equipment and rifle cleaning all of them at once.  Very inventive.

Submitted by:
    Lionel Raymond

Mike Nickerson was my Hootch Mate, Brother Fox, and all-around Good Buddy and I miss him terribly everyday of my
melancholy survival...His nickname was 'the White Whale' because he was... BIG, BOLD, BOISTEROUS,and just a
good 'OL BOY' to be around!!  Also, he had blond (almost white) hair and mustache and was 6'-210# or so of "wild ass
Marine."  Always ready to fly, frolic, or fight with the best.

Oh! did I mention that Mike was a hell of a pilot and the first to volunteer for a dangerous mission, if it meant saving
some Grunt Marine's Butt.  He got "in country" months before I did and seemed to have this flying choppers in combat
"'wired down' to a T."  The Whale was my shining role model and I was closer to him than I was to my own brothers
at that point in time...

Then came that horrible day when we each left to fly...only he never made it back! April 19, 1969.  YK-5 with Mike in
command was shot down on "Charlie Ridge." He and others were killed. The night before Mike and I were talking
about how much we both missed our wives and children. We swapped stories, pictures, and just had a great time
together that evening... I felt lucky, I at least had 3 months with my son before going over...Mike's daughter was
born while he was in Nam. He never got the chance to hold her in his arms... He showed me her pictures and was so
proud of her. I inventoried his gear and like three other Hootch mates I sent those personal effects back to his
family. It was one of the hardest things I had to do over there.... I wanted to write a letter to each family telling
them about my memories of their Marines...but I didn't!!!  I also promised myself I'd find Mike's wife and daughter
when I got back to "the World" and let them know how much he loved them and how proud he was to have them as
family.

It's 35 years later and I've made attempts but never reached Mike's family, especially his daughter, to share my
memories of 'the White Whale.'  I often speak to Mike but I guess I'll have to wait 'til he can answer my queries in the
Big Marine Reunion in the hear after.  Until then this account will have to suffice.  Maybe it will even lessen the
sadness in my heart and the fiery anger in my belly.  Semper Fi Bro....

Jerry 'Ski2' Skibinski, former 1stLt. USMCR

02-14-04

Mr. Skibinski; With help from friends like Rich Bianchino and Ernie Gomez I have learned to accept my duty as a
keeper-of-flame for our brother's memories.  As long as we remember them and pass these memories on to our loved
ones our friends will always be there.  As part of the recovery team for the YK-5 crash I too burned inside with a lot of
emotions: why this crew, what could have happened differently.  We did all we could and were there when our
brothers needed help.  Who didn't matter, all that mattered was a fellow Marine was there when needed.  Mr.
Nickerson was a good Marine and we all miss him as you do.  Please gather your strength and help keep the memories
alive and hopefully you can find Mr. Nickerson's family and tell them your story.

By the way I never had a chance to say thanks for stopping in to say hello at NAS Atlanta on your way home from
RVN.  Hope to see you in Reno.

James V. King, former Corporal USMC