Thomas O'Neal

USS Nicholas (FFG-47) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 10, 1984. Named after Major Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, the ship served for over 28 years. During her active service, Nicholas participated in multiple operations, including drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean, escort duties in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will, and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa. The frigate was decommissioned on March 17, 2014, after a distinguished career supporting U.S. naval strategy and global maritime security.