Sgt. 1st Class Harold O. Nicholls Distinguished Service Cross, 1919 Sgt. Nicholls repeatedly volunteered to act as a balloon observer in the last offensive of World War I. Three times he rose up beneath a hydrogen-filled balloon only to narrowly escape after it was hit by incendiary bullets. Fortunately, Nicholls survived to accept his medal. Click here to return to the Distinguished Enlisted Overview.