Biography
Hickox was born August 29, 1903 in Washington, D.C. 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 (DD-229) October 3, 1941. He had been commissioned lieutenant commander July 1, of that year.
When his ship went aground in heavy seas off St. Lawrence, Newfoundland in Placentia Bay, February 18, 1942, Lt. Comdr. 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. However, Hickox was swept from the bridge by the pounding seas and lost.
Read more about this topic: Ralph Hickox
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