Captain James Graham Hicks was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of James Graham Hicks and Mildred Kemper Hicks.
He was a graduate of Henry Clay High School and attended the University of Kentucky. He entered the Army on 28 May 1941.
Capt. Hicks was the Pilot of C-47A-15-DL AC#42-23393. On the 6th of April 1945 the 314th Troop Carrier Group was flying a load of gasoline to General George Patton’s troops at the front. About 12 miles NorthWest of Malmedy Belgium there was a six-aircraft crash.
Member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, 50th Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group
Buried at Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupré, Belgium and memorialized at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.
Awards: Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
The Lexington Herald-Leader, 24 April 1945
Capt J. Graham Hicks, 23, United States Army Air Forces pilot, was killed in action over Belgium, April , according to a message received Monday night by his parents, Mr. and James G. Hicks, of Fincastle road. Captain Hicks, a graduate of Henry Clay high school, was a student at the University of Kentucky when he entered the Army May 28, 1941. He was a member of the athletic teams at high school. He first trained with an Armored Tank Division at Fort Knox and was transferred to the Air Forces in January, 1942. He took primary training at Helena, Ark., basic training at Greenville, Miss., and his advanced course at Columbus, Miss, where he received his wings Sept. 6, 1942. Placed in the Troop Carrier Command, he received additional training at Sedelia, Mo. Captain Hicks had served 24 months overseas, taking part in the Sicilian, Italian and Normandy campaign. On D-Day, his group received the Presidential citation for its action. He also had received the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. His major duties were pitching a C-46 transport plane which carried the airborne infantry. He was a member of the Central Christian church. Besides his parents, Captain Hicks is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Kemper Cornet and Mrs. V.C. Brown, and an aunt, Mrs. Virgie Pinkston of Duncan, Ky.
- Rank: Captain
- Date of birth: 8 November 1921
- Date of death: 6 April 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 50th Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: D-Day
- Awards: Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor James G. Hicks Jr.
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