John W. Nicholson Jr.

{{Short description|U.S. Army general}} {{pp-pc|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use American English|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox military person | name = John W. Nicholson Jr. | image = Lt. Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Official portrait, 2016 | nickname = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|5|8|mf=y}}<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXreAAAAMAAJ&q=%22John+William+Nicholson,+Jr%22 | title=Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy| year=1991}}</ref> | birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Army | service_years = 1982–2018 | rank = General | service_number = | unit = | commands = Resolute Support Mission United States Forces Afghanistan Allied Land Command 82nd Airborne Division 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment | battles = United States invasion of Grenada War in Afghanistan | awards = {{nowrap|Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)}} Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (5) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (2) | relations = Brigadier General John W. Nicholson (father) | other_work = }} '''John William "Mick" Nicholson Jr.''' (born 8 May 1957) is a retired United States Army four-star general who last commanded U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and the 41-nation NATO-led Resolute Support Mission from 2 March 2016 to 2 September 2018, succeeding General John F. Campbell.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/general-taliban-wont-capture-city-winter/3553014.html|title=US General: Taliban Won't Capture a City by Winter|publisher=Voice of America |access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508002946/http://www.voanews.com/a/general-taliban-wont-capture-city-winter/3553014.html|archive-date=8 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the longest-serving commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan until 2021, having been the senior officer in theatre for 2 years, 6 months.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nicholson|first=John W.|title=Opinion The U.S. must respond forcefully to Russia and the Taliban. Here's how.|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-must-respond-forcefully-to-russia-and-the-taliban-heres-how/2020/07/13/df13ed6c-c529-11ea-b037-f9711f89ee46_story.html|access-date=2021-02-25|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> He was previously commanding general, Allied Land Command from October 2014<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aco.nato.int/change-of-command-at-natos-allied-land-command.aspx |title=Change of Command at NATO's Allied Land Command |author=SHAPE Public Affairs Office |website=Allied Command Operations |publisher=NATO |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329215028/http://www.aco.nato.int/change-of-command-at-natos-allied-land-command.aspx |archive-date=29 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> and commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. Nicholson is the son of John W. "Jack" Nicholson, also a retired general officer in the United States Army, and is distantly related to British brigadier general John Nicholson.<ref>{{cite book|author=Carlotta Gall|author-link=Carlotta Gall|title=The Wrong Enemy: America in Afghanistan, 2001–2014|url=https://archive.org/details/wrongenemyameric0000gall|url-access=registration|date=8 April 2014|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=978-0-544-04568-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/wrongenemyameric0000gall/page/115 115]}}</ref>

== Early life and education == Growing up, Nicholson attended Gilman School where he was known as "Nick". Over the years, this nickname gradually became "Mick".<ref name="mick nickname">{{cite web |last1=Duncan |first1=Ian |title=General from Baltimore County heads up Trump's new Afghanistan war effort |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-john-nicholson-afghanistan-20170825-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302031127/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-john-nicholson-afghanistan-20170825-story.html |archive-date=2 March 2021 |date=25 August 2017}}</ref> In 1982, he graduated from West Point (like his father had before him) and was commissioned into the infantry.<ref name="usma grad">{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/06/30/new-commander-for-82nd-airborne.html|title=New Commander for 82nd Airborne|first=Ward|last=Carroll|website=military.com |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712014233/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/06/30/new-commander-for-82nd-airborne.html|archive-date=2019-07-12|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career== [[File:160712-D-SK590-145 (27987204280).jpg|thumb|Nicholson greets U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Kabul, 12 July 2016]] [[File:Secretary Pompeo Shares a Seat With General Nicholson En Route to Kabul (43305926581).jpg|thumb|Nicholson speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July 2018]] Shortly after his commissioning, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne and deployed during the invasion of Grenada in 1983 where he earned a Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.<ref name="mick nickname"/>

Nicholson was a strategist for General Eric Shinseki when the 9/11 attacks occurred.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/28/meet-the-next-commander-in-afghanistan-who-has-deeper-experience-there-than-almost-any-u-s-general/|title=Meet the next commander in Afghanistan, who has deeper experience there than almost any U.S. general|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309203622/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/28/meet-the-next-commander-in-afghanistan-who-has-deeper-experience-there-than-almost-any-u-s-general/|archive-date=2020-03-09|url-status=live}}</ref> He went on to serve in Afghanistan for six years. He commanded companies in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. He was a major in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany and later served in IFOR/SFOR in Sarajevo, Bosnia Hercegovina. As a lieutenant colonel he commanded the Army's first Stryker Infantry Battalion, 1st Bn 23rd Infantry “Tomahawks”, at Fort Lewis, Washington. As a colonel, he commanded the 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Spartans” of the 10th Mountain Division.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-28|title=NATO PA - Lieutenant General John W. NICHOLSON Jr.|url=http://www.nato-pa.int/default.asp?SHORTCUT=3807|access-date=2021-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328120040/http://www.nato-pa.int/default.asp?SHORTCUT=3807|archive-date=2016-03-28}}</ref>

Nicholson was the deputy director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rs.nato.int/about-isaf/leadership/major-general-john-w.-nicholson-jr.html|title=Major General John W. Nicholson Jr. – Resolute Support Mission|last=MMillham|publisher=NATO |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815024055/http://www.rs.nato.int/about-isaf/leadership/major-general-john-w.-nicholson-jr.html|archive-date=2016-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref> He became commander of the 82nd Airborne Division in 2012. In 2014 Nicholson took control of the NATO Allied Land Command in İzmir, Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1596498/all-americans-change-command|title=All Americans change command|publisher=ISAF |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307201222/https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1596498/all-americans-change-command|archive-date=2019-03-07|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Commander in Afghanistan === Nicholson was the longest-serving commander of the War in Afghanistan, having led the 41-nation NATO-led Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces-Afghanistan for two and a half years from March 2016 to September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change of Command at NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan |publisher=NATO |url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_157838.htm|access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Nicholson via teleconference from Kabul |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Transcripts/TranscriptArticle/1609954/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-general-nicholson-via-teleconference-fr/ |access-date=2020-11-30}}{{dead link|date=December 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mashal|first=Mujib|date=2018-09-02|title='Time for This War in Afghanistan to End,' Says Departing U.S. Commander (Published 2018) |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/02/world/asia/afghan-commander-us-john-nicholson.html|access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref> Nicholson told the Senate Armed Services Committee in 2016 that "Since 9/11, the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan has largely defined my service."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/army-s-nicholson-career-largely-defined-by-afghanistan-1.390906|title=Army's Nicholson: Career 'largely defined' by Afghanistan|work=Stripes |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121121551/https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/army-s-nicholson-career-largely-defined-by-afghanistan-1.390906|archive-date=2020-01-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?403828-1/lieutenant-general-john-nicholson-confirmation-hearing|title=Lieutenant General John Nicholson Confirmation Hearing|publisher=C-SPAN|access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429123210/https://www.c-span.org/video/?403828-1%2Flieutenant-general-john-nicholson-confirmation-hearing|archive-date=2019-04-29|url-status=live}}</ref> He assumed command from General John F. Campbell on 2 March 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NATO Secretary General welcomes change of command in Afghanistan |publisher=NATO |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_128726.htm|access-date=2020-12-02}}</ref> Nicholson was given command of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, amid a worsening security situation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/top-us-commander-in-afghanistan-to-face-lawmakers/3172892.html|title=Top US Commander in Afghanistan to Face Lawmakers|publisher=Voice of America |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804201533/http://www.voanews.com/content/top-us-commander-in-afghanistan-to-face-lawmakers/3172892.html|archive-date=2016-08-04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/world/asia/john-campbell-handoff-us-general-coalition-forces-afghanistan.html|title=New U.S. General Takes Command of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan|date=3 March 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220212344/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/world/asia/john-campbell-handoff-us-general-coalition-forces-afghanistan.html|archive-date=20 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gen. John 'Mick' Nicholson takes command of U.S.-NATO forces in Afghanistan |newspaper=The Washington Times |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/2/change-in-command-of-us-nato-forces-in-afghanistan/ |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114152019/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/2/change-in-command-of-us-nato-forces-in-afghanistan/|archive-date=2019-01-14|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/leaders/2016/01/27/nicholson-nominated-next-afghan-war-head/79417468/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160328120715/http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/leaders/2016/01/27/nicholson-nominated-next-afghan-war-head/79417468/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2016|title=Nicholson Nominated as Next Afghan War Head|publisher=Defense News}}</ref> Nicholson apologized in person for U.S. involvement in the Kunduz hospital airstrike.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/us-general-apologizes-in-person-for-bombing-msf-hospital-in-afghanistan/|title=US General Apologizes in Person for Bombing MSF Hospital in Afghanistan |website=VICE News |access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616130312/https://news.vice.com/article/us-general-apologizes-in-person-for-bombing-msf-hospital-in-afghanistan|archive-date=2018-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/us-nato-commander-asks-for-forgiveness-medecins-sans-frontieres-bombing|title=US and Nato commander apologizes for Médecins Sans Frontières bombing|agency=Reuters |date=22 March 2016|newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=7 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918013833/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/us-nato-commander-asks-for-forgiveness-medecins-sans-frontieres-bombing|archive-date=18 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

His command spanned the Obama and Trump administrations. During the final year of the Obama administration in 2016, the U.S. conducted a strike in Pakistan which killed the Taliban Emir Mullah Mansoor,<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Jon Boone |author2=Sune Engel Rasmussen in|date=2016-05-22|title=US drone strike in Pakistan kills Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor -GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/21/us-airstrike-taliban-leader-mullah-akhtar-mansoor|access-date=2020-12-02|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> made more extensive use of U.S. air support to Afghan forces,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stewart|first=Phil|date=2016-06-10|title=Exclusive: Obama approves broader role for U.S. forces in Afghanistan |work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-obama-exclusive-idUSKCN0YW055|access-date=2020-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sisk|first=Richard|date=2016-06-10|title=Obama Approves Expanded US Airstrikes against Taliban in Afghanistan|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/10/obama-approves-expanded-us-airstrikes-taliban-in-afghanistan.html|access-date=2020-12-02|website=Military.com}}</ref> and received an increase in US force levels at the close of 2016.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press|date=2017-08-08|title=A timeline of U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan since 2001|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/07/06/a-timeline-of-u-s-troop-levels-in-afghanistan-since-2001/|access-date=2020-12-02|website=Military Times}}</ref>

In April 2017, he authorized the dropping of the Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), the largest non-nuclear munition in the US inventory, on an ISIS strongpoint in the Pekha Valley of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ehsan Popalzai and Laura Smith-Spark|title=Afghan official: 94 ISIS fighters killed by 'mother of all bombs'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/15/asia/afghanistan-isis-moab-strike/index.html|access-date=2020-12-10|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Helene|last2=Mashal|first2=Mujib|date=2017-04-13|title=U.S. Drops 'Mother of All Bombs' on ISIS Caves in Afghanistan (Published 2017) |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/world/asia/moab-mother-of-all-bombs-afghanistan.html|access-date=2020-12-10|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Afghan ground forces requested the airstrike when they were unable to enter the area because of IS attacks from multiple tunnels.<ref name=":0" /> The MOAB destroyed the IS strongpoint and enabled a successful offensive push deep into IS-held terrain.

During the first eight months of the Trump Administration in 2017, his recommendations were incorporated into the South Asia Strategy which was announced by Trump on 17 August 2017. The strategy resulted in a pressure campaign on the enemy and their sponsors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S.Hrg. 115-802 — An Update on American Diplomacy to Advance Our National Security Strategy |url=https://www.congress.gov/event/115th-congress/senate-event/LC65062/text|access-date=2020-12-17|website=congress.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=South Asia Strategy Provides 'Path to Win' in Afghanistan, Commander Says|url=https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1382145/south-asia-strategy-provides-path-to-win-in-afghanistan-commander-says/|access-date=2020-12-17|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mashal|first=Mujib|date=2017-08-25|title=Trump's Afghan Gamble Now Rests on General He Doubted (Published 2017) |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/world/asia/trump-afghanistan-general-john-nicholson-.html|access-date=2020-12-17|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On 2 September 2018, Nicholson relinquished command of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission to General Austin Scott Miller at a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Change of Command at NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_157838.htm|access-date=2020-12-23|publisher=NATO}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Mashal|first=Mujib|date=2018-09-02|title='Time for This War in Afghanistan to End,' Says Departing U.S. Commander (Published 2018) |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/02/world/asia/afghan-commander-us-john-nicholson.html|access-date=2020-12-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At the ceremony, Nicholson was praised as a “warrior-diplomat”.<ref name=":1" /> His leadership and close relations with Afghan leaders were key to brokering the first universal ceasefire of the war in June 2018 and helped enable the launch of the subsequent peace initiative.<ref name=":1" /> He had met with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani every week and the two of them "worked well together."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sprague |first=Stanley B. |title=Afghanistan's Violent Decades: A History, 1978 Through 2021 |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |date=2024 |isbn=978-1-4766-9185-5 |page=218 }}</ref>

Nicholson has testified before the following Congressional Committees: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Senate Armed Services Committee. He participated in numerous sessions of the NATO North Atlantic Council, to include the Ambassadors to NATO, Chiefs of Defense, Defense Ministers, Foreign Ministers, and Heads of State of the Alliance.

In 2017, as the commanding general in Afghanistan, Nicholson, drew attention when he said in a press conference that his command “continued to get reports of” Russian assistance to the Taliban, including weapons — something that was the subject of internal debate within the intelligence community at the time but appears to have been validated by media reporting in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/06/russian-bounties-are-part-moscows-aid-taliban-current-and-former-intel-officials-say/166538/|title=Bounties Are Part of Moscow's Aid to the Taliban, Current and Former Intel Officials Say|date=29 June 2020 }}</ref>

thumb|left|John Nicholson Jr. and Bailey Hutchison at NATO

===Post-military career=== Nicholson is an adjunct faculty member on leadership with Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School and is a member of Harvard's Belfer Center's Elbe Group, which sustains a Track Two dialogue between retired American and Russian senior officials in the military and intelligence fields.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=St. Petersburg Conference On World Affairs|url=https://worldaffairsconference.org/archive/2020-program-schedule/|access-date=|website=World Affairs Conference}}</ref>

In April 2019, Nicholson joined the PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes as its president.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Retired Four-Star General John W. Nicholson, Jr. Named PenFed Foundation President |work=PenFed Credit Union|url=https://www.penfed.org/learn/media-center/general-nicholson-joins-penfed-foundation|access-date=2021-01-21}}</ref>

On 12 May 2019, Nicholson received the Knight Commander's Cross, Great Cross with Star on the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift from then Germany Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stock Photo – Berlin, Germany. 11th May, 2019. US General John William Nicholson speaks to the guests on the sidelines of the performance of a serenade, which is performed as a thank you for |publisher=Alamy Limited |url=https://www.alamy.com/berlin-germany-11th-may-2019-us-general-john-william-nicholson-speaks-to-the-guests-on-the-sidelines-of-the-performance-of-a-serenade-which-is-performed-as-a-thank-you-for-the-berlin-airlift-nicholson-had-previously-been-awarded-the-grand-cross-of-merit-with-star-credit-jrg-carstensendpaalamy-live-news-image246062219.html |access-date=2021-01-28}}</ref>

On 18 May 2019, Nicholson gave the commencement address to the 2019 graduating class of Institute of World Politics and received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law.<ref>{{Cite AV media|last=|first=|date=|title=Remarks by General John W. Nicholson, Jr., USA (Ret.) at IWP Commencement |via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UCnsAMN_oc|access-date=}}</ref>

On 17 June 2019, Nicholson was given an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the American University of Afghanistan alongside David M. Rubenstein and General (Ret.) David Petraeus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAUAF held its 2019 Annual Awards Dinner|url=https://friendsofauaf.org/fauaf-held-its-2019-annual-awards-dinner/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=friendsofauaf.org}}</ref>

On 10 September 2019, Nicholson gave a presentation on war and leadership to students and faculty at the American University of Paris.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-12|title="War, Leadership and You"|url=https://www.aup.edu/news-events/news/2019-09-12/war-leadership-and-you|access-date=2021-01-28|website=aup.edu}}</ref> On 21 February 2020, Nicholson was the closing speaker at the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Speakers – The St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs|url=https://www.worldaffairsconference.com/speakers|access-date=2021-02-12|website=worldaffairsconference.com}}</ref> On 17 October, Nicholson was the keynote speaker for the unveiling of the statue The Pledge, which honors women in the military, at the Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Arlington National Cemetery Has A New Monument To Servicewomen|url=https://dcist.com/story/20/10/19/arlington-national-cemetery-the-pledge-women-military-service-america-memorial-susan-bahary/|access-date=2021-02-12|website=DCist|archive-date=2021-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118081444/https://dcist.com/story/20/10/19/arlington-national-cemetery-the-pledge-women-military-service-america-memorial-susan-bahary/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 October, it was announced that Nicholson would receive the 2020 Outstanding Service Award from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-10-27|title=Canine Companions For Independence Salutes Veterans|url=https://patch.com/new-york/medford-ny/canine-companions-independence-salutes-veterans|access-date=2021-02-12|website=Medford, NY Patch}}</ref>

=== Corporate leadership === Since December 2021, Nicholson has served as Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin in the Middle East, with responsibility for strategy, operations, and growth in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John W. Nicholson Jr.|url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-ae/news/john-w-nicholson-jr.html|access-date=2022-12-17|website=lockheedmartin.com}}</ref>

In October 2022, Nicholson was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Khalifa University, a public co-educational institution based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Khalifa University - Organizational Leadership in Abu Dhabi, UAE |url=https://www.ku.ac.ae/about/university-leadership |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Khalifa University |language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2022, Nicholson was included in the Top 10 on Forbes Middle East's Global Meets Local list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Waqar |title=Global Meets Local 2022 |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/global-meets-local-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Forbes Lists |language=en-US}}</ref> The list ranked business executives leading operations for the world's largest companies in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, based on factors such as the impact and scope of their role, business size, personal achievements, and public recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Waqar |title=Global Meets Local 2022 |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/global-meets-local-2022/john-mick-nicholson/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Forbes Lists |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations== {| |130px |Combat Infantryman Badge (Second Award) |- |80px |Ranger tab |- |80px |Master Parachutist Badge |- |80px |Pathfinder Badge |- |100px |Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |- |100px |Army Staff Identification Badge |- |80px |82nd Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge |- |left|frameless|132x132px |10th Mountain Division Combat Service Identification Badge |- |50px |75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |- |110px |French Parachutist Badge |- |110px |German Parachutist badge in bronze |- |left|frameless|108x108px |Italian Parachutist Badge |- |left|frameless|120x120px |Egyptian Parachutist Badge |- |55px |12 Overseas Service Bars |} {| |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}}18px18px18px18px |Defense Superior Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=80}}18px18px |Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}}17px18px |Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and oak leaf cluster (one award for Valor) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Defense Meritorious Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}}18px18px18px |Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Army Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Army Meritorious Unit Commendation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=80}} |National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}}14px14px14px14px |Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four service stars |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Armed_Forces_Service_Medal_ribbon|width=80}} |Armed Forces Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Army Service Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=numeral|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=80}}17px |Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4 |- |80px |NATO Meritorious Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg|width=80}} |NATO Medal for former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan with service star |- |80px |Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Knight Commander's Cross |- |left|frameless|120x120px |French Légion d'honneur, Chevalier |- |left|frameless|84x84px |Polish Afghanistan Star |- |left|frameless|153x153px |French National Order of Merit |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|John W. Nicholson, Jr.}} * Official {{cite web|url=https://www.rs.nato.int/default.aspx|title=NATO Resolute Support}} site * {{cite web|url=https://www.rs.nato.int/about-us/leadership/resolute-support-headquarters/rsm-commander.aspx|title=Official Military Biography}} General John W. Nicholson Jr.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nicholson, John W. Jr.}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:United States Military Academy alumni Category:Georgetown University alumni Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:United States Army generals Category:Knights Commander of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany