One Soldier's Story
Part One
By Kernel Banks, Staff Writer

Edward Hicks, a WW II veteran was born October 18, 1922. A citizen of Jackson County, soon to be 83 years of age, he shares his past experiences with us today. This is a first part of actual events that this local hero has accomplished in his life. See next week for a continuing story.

Edward was born in the community of Maulden, Kentucky (Jackson County) October 18, 1922. Ed grew up hard and straight on his parent's farm not far from Tyner, Kentucky. On July 30, 1942, Ed entered holy matrimony with Mary Lou king. Shortly after their wedding Ed received an induction notice to report to Cincinnati, Ohio for a military examination for service in the U.S. Army. Ed reported promptly on December 22, 1942 at which time he was examined and sent home. Ed was told to report back for active duty on December 29th, 1942. Reporting back to Cincinnati, Ed was sent to Camp Wallace, Texas for basic training.

Ed completed his basic training and was transferred to Camp Hulen, Texas. He was trained and assigned to the 459 Anti-Aircraft, noted as the 3rd armored Corp. During this time he was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana, where the 19th Corp. had been established August 20, 1942 under the command of Major General Willy D. Critten. For the following year, training went on in the Camp Polk Area. Ed was fortunate enough to get leave time to see his son that was born and come home for illnesses in the family.

January 7th, 1944 Ed, along with 459 AA, was sent to England. Based there he received more training for that big day.

From January up until June of 1944, the soldiers thoughts were of days to come, not realizing the repercussions that it would bring for the rest of their lives. He stated day by day, as the days went by, everyday he was thinking this could be it, the long awaited for, the dreaded day. Finally June 5th, 1944, the command came late in the afternoon. Load up the equipment, machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons, anti-tank weapons and men, boarding the Liberty Ships. A convoy nearing the ports of England, making their way to the beaches of France. Exploding into the beaches, Ed was back on the 4th wave of entry at Omaha beach on D Day, June 6th, 1944.

Watching the glorious entry of American soldiers, entering, falling, dying and fighting their way forward. Finally, Ed goes over the side of the Liberty Ship, climbing down a rope ladder to an LST boat, entering the local waters, the German 88 rounds exploding around them. The LST had went as far as it could go.

Ed and his comrades left the LST, being under fire, and waded through the blood foam waters towards the beach. Explosions around them, Ed saw his closest friend fall, a sight that would always be with him. Ed related, "I felt as if God himself was about me, caring for and protecting me. We made it and the journey begins."

Click Here For "Soldier's Story, Part Two