Background
Hickox was born in Washington, District of Columbia
Hickox was born in Washington, District of Columbia
Lieutenant Commander Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps September 23, 1921, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy July 18, 1923 and commissioned ensign June 2, 1927. In the peacetime Navy Hickox served in a variety of ships and stations and was finally appointed commanding officer of the destroyer Truxtun (Doctor of Divinity-229) October 3, 1941. He had been commissioned lieutenant commander July 1, of that year.
When his ship went aground in heavy seas off Saint Lawrence, Newfoundland in Placentia Bay, February 18, 1942, Lieutenant
Commander However, Hickox was swept from the bridge by the pounding seas and lost. In 1943, the destroyer United States Ship Hickox (Doctor of Divinity-673) was named in his honor.
Hickox remained on the bridge directing rescue operations in a cool and fearless manner which inspired the officers and men under him and was instrumental in effecting the rescue of many of the members of his crew.