Jackson County Veteran Honored
Governor Presents Reissued Medals Honors To
 World War II Veteran On His 84th Birthday

This story and picture  were published in the October 26, 2006 issue of the Jackson County Sun

Jackson County's WWII veteran, Sgt. Edward Hicks was in Frankfort recently to receive medals earned but not received when he left the service in 1945.

Governor Ernie Fletcher pinned three reissued medals on the chest of Sgt. Edward Hicks, a World War II veteran from Tyner, Jackson County, on Hicks' 84th birthday last Wednesday.

"I am proud to honor Sgt. Hicks," said Gov. Fletcher. "He served in five European campaigns over three years, and it's my pleasure to restore his medals to him."

Governor Fletcher presented the following replacement medals to Sgt. Hicks:

* European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Star Attachment (the attachment       recognizes service in five campaigns - Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.)
* Good Conduct Medal
* World War II Victory Medal

Although not part of the ceremony, Sgt. Hicks also received an Honorable Service Lapel Button, WWII.

"Jack Welch Chapter 165 is very proud that Edward Hicks was decorated by Governor Fletcher, sixty-one years after WWII," says Commander Kernel Banks.

"It was a very moving experience when Mr. Hicks stood at the position of attention to receive his military awards and the Governor's Award." Banks went on to say, "Ed's family stood by him on this day proudly supporting him.

It's not often that an old soldier's children are present when he receives ribbons and awards."

Thanks to Betty Banks Sanders for sending me this picture and article from the Jackson County Sun.
 

Subscribe To The Jackson County Times