icholas Van Bergen was the Gunnery Officer aboard the USS Marblehead when the ship was attacked 4 Feb, 1942. The battle and ensuing rescue of the ship has been described as "one of the great stories of the sea." After being attacked the ship was saved by her relentless crew and traveled 13,000 miles back to New York city- 4,000 of those without a rudder. Nicholas' bravery in the engagement earned him the Navy Cross, the second highest naval decoration for valor. Nicholas retired from the Navy as a rear admiral and went on to teach at the University of Colorado. His death in 1947 was linked to injuries suffered aboard the Marblehead.