Nuclear Museum Logo
Nuclear Museum Logo

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Kenneth Nichols

Major General Kenneth Nichols (1907 – 2000) served as Deputy District Engineer of the Manhattan Engineer District.

Nichols was chosen for his role by Colonel James Marshall. Responsible for selecting a construction site, the pair decided on Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Nichols was also in charge of ore procurement. He met with Edgar Sengier, who was expecting the visit and already had 1,200 tons of ore cached at a Staten Island warehose. Arrangements were made to purchase the ore, which originated from the Belgian Congo.

In 1943, Nichols replaced Marshall as District Engineer of the Manhattan Engineer District, and was consequently given responsibility of both the Clinton Engineer Works and the plutonium production facility at the Hanford site.

Nichols was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his work on the Manhattan Project. After the war. he was promoted to brigadier general and became Groves’ deputy.