Notes:

Born south of Forest City, Iowa.

Served in the U.S. Army in 1941-42 and 1944 in Africa, Italy and Europe.

He was declared Missing in Action in St. Lo France.

Never married.

No Children.

Kay (Nicholas) Shiery wrote:
"When Uncle Van was declared Missing in Action at St. Lo, France the whole family was devestated. I can remember when he was declared officially dead, my father, aunts and Grandpa cried and cried. I was 6 years old. Uncle Van has always been my hero".

Kay (Nicholas) Shiery wrote 12 Aug 2005:
I also have copies of two letters from the War Department and Army Services Forces a year after my Uncle Vandan (Nicholas) was declared MIA.....these two letters are dated a year after his MIA status was
claimed and they make official death. My aunt could not find the letter stating he was MIA....although she said there were two officers who come to the bank she was working at Rippey, Iowa....and asked for directions to Abijah Nicholas' residence. Aunt Marjorie heard them and said she knew why they were there and took the information from them. She then went to Grandpa's house to tell him. (Grandma was deceased at that time).

https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/nicholas%3Dvandan

http://iagenweb.org/greene/military/wwii/world-war-II-dead-missing.htm

https://www.backtonormandy.org/divisions/672-2-infantry-division-usa.html