Colonel Nicholas O. Melin assumed command of the Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on August 4, 2023. As the District Engineer, he is responsible for carrying out the district’s mission within the Ohio River Basin, which includes more than 328 miles of navigable waterways on the Allegheny River, Monongahela River and upper Ohio River. Pittsburgh District’s 26,000 square miles include portions of western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, western Maryland and southwestern New York. Our infrastructure includes 23 navigation locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood damage reduction reservoirs, 80 local flood damage reduction projects and other projects to protect and enhance water resources. With over 150 years of experience, the Pittsburgh District has developed expertise to accomplish its varied Civil Works missions in the areas of navigation, flood damage reduction, recreation, environmental restoration, hydropower, storm damage reduction, regulatory, water supply and emergency response.
Colonel Melin comes to the Pittsburgh District following an assignment as the Division Chief for Oceania, South, and South East Asia in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from West Point, a Master of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from Madras University, India, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Engineering Science from Oxford University, United Kingdom. His military education and schooling include the Engineer Officer Basic and Captains Career Courses, the Command and General Staff College, India’s National Defence College. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri.
His previous assignments include command of a Security Force Assistance Battalion with responsibilities in Africa and South America and a Brigade Engineer Battalion with responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific Region; Special Assistant to the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Chairman’s Action Group, Political-Military Affairs Officer in the Joint Staff J5 with responsibility for the United Kingdom and Nordic Countries, Chief of Staff of the Army Strategic Studies Group Fellow, Executive Officer for 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division while deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at West Point. Colonel Melin has three combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and has also led SFAB team deployments to Africa and a battalion deployment to fight wildfires in Oregon.
His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two oak leaf clusters), the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), the Joint Staff Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters), the Valorous Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Afghan Campaign Medal (three Campaign Stars), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Joint Staff Identification Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, the Combat Action Badge, the Ranger and Sapper Tabs, the Parachutist Badge and six Overseas Service Bars.
Colonel Melin is committed to serving the citizens of the Upper Ohio River Valley and the Nation.