Stevenson, Nikolai S.

Date of birth:: April 20th, 1919 (New York City/New York, United States)
Date of death:: October 3rd, 2012
Service number:: 0-7438
Nationality:: American

Biography

Nikolai Stevenson was the son of Milivoy Stoyan Stanoyevich and Beatrice Louise Stevenson. Entering Columbia University, he took the bachelor's degree in 1940.

Stevenson served with the Marines from 1940-1946 and ended his military career with the rank of Colonel USMC reserve. During WW2, he was commanding officer of Company C, First Battalion and later executive officer of First Battalion. He fought at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleliu.

After the war, in 1947, Stevenson was hired as sales manager at National Sugar Refining Company in New York City and continued doing this until 1954, after which he became the vice president of Olavarria & Company from 1954-1964. Stevenson was the founder and senior partner of Stevenson, Montgomery and Clayton in 1966-1982, as well as president Association for Macular Diseases since 1980.

Nikolai Stevenson wrote an article about the Battle of Tenaru and Guadalcanal for American Heritage Magazine.

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)
Unit:: Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tenaru Sector, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, August 21, 1942. When machine gun fire from an attacking unit of 37 Japanese raked the left platoon of the company, causing several casualties, including the leader, First Lieutenant Stevenson maneuvered his remaining platoons to surround and isolate the enemy unit from its main body. In the ensuing fierce hand-to-hand combat which resulted in the destruction or capture of the entire enemy unit, First Lieutenant Stevenson personally killed the Japanese leader. His outstanding leadership and inspiring conduct contributed to the success of the engagement and eventually to the destruction of the entire enemy main body."

It turns out that on August 11, 1942 Stevenson was promoted to Captain, but he did not hear about it, on Guadalcanal, until September. So technically his rank during the battle of the Tenaru was Captain, although the Citation has it as 1st Lieutenant.

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps

For meritorious achievement as executive officer of an infantry battalion in action against the enemy on PELELIU ISLAND, PALAU GROUP, 15 September 1944 to 22 September 1944. During the exceptionally heavy fighting by the battalion in three different sectors over steep coral slopes filled with caves and snipers, Major STEVENSON organized and directed the supply, evacuation, communication, and services so capably that even though more (unreadable) continuously the troops never ran out of supplies and the wounded were brought from the lines quickly. Although the rear areas were subject to heavy artillery, mortar, and sniper fire he coordinated and directed all operations of the command post continuously and fearlessly in exposed positions without rest. During a fierce enemy night counterattack which dangerously thinned our lines he organized a group of men from the battalion headquarters, rushed forward with them over rough terrain covered with enemy mortar and small arms fire and successfully reinforced the lines at the point of greatest danger. By his skill and great personal valor, Major STEVENSON was largely responsible for the success of the mission of his battalion. His exemplary performance of duty throughout the operation was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services."