Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Feb. 20, 1992, edition 1 / Page 11
Part of The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
sun THE BRUNSWICK&ftACON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 19V2 D D Local War Veteran Enjoys Role As National Guard Commond r- i h ' ;-??? LA ,r *iiT 'jt BY TKRRY POPE Danny Hickman has developed a reputation for his calmness, quickness and forcefulncss in reaching the right decisions ? both in combat and as an educator. Jokes aside, combat and education, he says, make a good combination. "I think the training I've had in the military gives me skills that carry over to help make me effective in my job," he said. The Hickman's Crossroads native, who now lives in Leland, is commander of the 120th Infantry Battalion. He's in charge of 11 North Carolina Army Reserve National Guard Armories, including Shallotte's, and 829 soldiers. As dean of continuing education at Cape Fear Community College, Hickman, 44, plans for ar.d super vises a team of 200 full- and part-time faculty members who offci adult education classes to more than 20,000 people each year. He v/oHcs closely with the college president and community leaders to design needed programs. How ever, two weekends a month and five to six weeks a year, he dedicates time to his Army Reserve National Guard units. It's time spent away from his wife, Martha, and three children, Russell, 13; Claire, 16; and Hank, 18. Soldiers fight battles less than one percent of the time. During the other 99 percent, they are in training. For Hickman, his biggest battle was a year of active duty as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam. During 1,000 hours of combat flying he piloted three types of helicopters ? "slicks," Cobra gun ships and Scouts ? and is still rated as an aviator, occasionally fly ing helicopters for his units. When a helicopter arrives to transport the commander to a training site, Hickman will sometimes take the controls himself. "It's like balancing a ball on a stick," said Hickman. "It takes a lot of eye and hand coordination. But most people can leam to fly a helicopter if given enough time." His missions in Vietnam are well-documented. With the B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, Hickman received an Air Medal with V for valor. A recommendation for commission written by Captain Elmore P. Jordan notes Hickman's remarkable ability as a warrant officer to lead during combat as saults, medical evacuations and night hunter operations. Once during a night combat assault, Hickman insert ed a team of U.S. soldiers for a night ambush patrol when ihe team carr.c under heavy enemy fsre. Quickly sizing up the situation, he called for additional troops, lift ships and gun ships. The pilot coordinated efforts with the parent troops and the ground commander, but during the operation a medevac aircraft crashed into the landing zone after attempting to pick up wounded soldiers. Hickman was able to hover his aircraft and use sup pressive fire on the enemy while directing the ground commander to a new landing zone. The recommendation states that Hickman "not only has the potential for leadership in combat, but has most instrumental (skills) in promoting an atmosphere con ducive to harmony and working long hours to get the job done." He "displayed calmness, quickness and forcefulness in reaching the right decisions" and would be a tribute to the commissioned ranks of the U.S. Army, Captain Jordan noted on May 7, 1969. Just 22 days later, Hickman was involved in another attack for which he was awarded the Distinguished Hying Cross, an award given for heroism while partici pating in aerial flight above and beyond the call of duly. Hickman was flying as pilot of a transport helicopter ir. support of a reconnaissance operation when he insert ed a team of rangers into an area and made a false inser tion about 300 meters away. The rangers were ambushed "/ sort of grew into it. It sort of gets into your blood." ? Danny Hickman Army National Guard by an enemy force of unknown size. Two soldiers were killed and one was wounded. "Immediately receiving their call for help, he flew back to the area and directed fire on enemy positions while clearing the aircraft commander and helicopter into the landing zone," the orders state. "He directed the loading of the casualties which al lowed the ship to be hovered in place. His bravery and determination saved several lives and accomplished the mission of finding the enemy," Col. Leo Turner noted. Today, Hickman's thoughts of Vietnam arc at times mixed. "Sometimes I get a little excited when 1 talk about it," he said. "I think that's just the stress coming out a little bit at a time. It was really a dynamic experience that shaped the course of my life." The Shaiiotte High School graduate is the son of Harold Hickman of Hickman's Crossroads and Virginia Post of Wilmington. He earned a bachelor's degree in management from Embry Riddle University while sta tioned in the Army in Florida and lat er received a master's degree in edu cation administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. When Hurricane Hugo struck the South Carolina coast in .989, Hick man took charge of the local National Guard units in the commander's ab sence, mobilizing 200 men. He set up a command post and deployed sol diers to Holden Beach, Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach, but the storm turned south and made landfall at Charleston, S.C. Damage was still substantial on Holden Beach, where Hickman and the soldiers sccurcd the beach until debris could be cleared. Hugo kept the soldiers there for about a week. Assignments have also carried him to Italy on numerous occasions, enough so that he has learned the Italian language, as well as to Puerto Rico and other European countries. Soldiers were deployed for Hurricane Diana in 1985 and began rigorous training during Operation Desert Storm last year. But his 120th Battalion wasn't called into action during the Persian Gulf war. UW?? \unm fV?v#*richlv cr#?f finer nrp * ' ~ 5 r - - pared for that," said Hickman. "I en joy putting together a plan and lead ing people through it, where there's STAFF PHOTO BY TIMY POP* UPON RETURNING FROM VIETNAM. Danny Hickman en tered the field of education and joined the Army Reserve National Guard. Today he commands II armories. an element of excitement or risk and other people arc just as determined as you are." There are some social activities that families can participate in, but mostly serving in the National Guard requires time away from the family. His children once called him "Major Dad," but since the promotion have chosen a new name, "Colonel Dad." From where docs the determination and dedication to serve 16 years in thf National Guard spring? "1 sort of grew into it," he said. "It sort of gets into your blood." There is a tradition of military service in his family. His father was a sergeant of the Shalloue unit of the Nauonal Guard and was also a World War II veteran. Hickman followed in his footsteps, servine as ihi> hometown commander of the Shalloue unit in the mid 1970s. He has traced some relatives to the Civil War battle at Fort Fisher. Of a family of brothers who fought there, one was killed, another died in captivity and two were paroled and walked home. The family was determined to carry on the name of the ancestor killed in battle,. Henry. It is the name given to Hickman's first son. Hickman says he will remain in the Guard for a few more years. This weekend, Jic and some troops will trav el to Ft. Bcnning, Ga., to participate in live fire assault training. "As long as I'm needed and it remains fun and re warding," he said. "If 1 feel like 1 can be an effective leader and a trainer, then 1 feel like I'm contributing what I should be. "It's very demanding training I'll reach some point where I feel like it's time to go. More than likely some one will make that decision for me." BRING THE FAMILY AND EAT WITH YOUR TEACHER!!! 20% OF ALL SALES WILL BE DONATED TO WACCAMAW ELEMENTARY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 5-8 P.M. 4-g* WACCAMAW KING ELEMENTARY BOOSTER NIGHT AT BURGER KING EAGLES A house payment ?nsurance premiui r educational loans loan vacation^ Fast Refunds also on Returns prepared by yourself or others. 100% Dedication to Client Satisfaction. Clip Ad for $5.00 off Tax Preparation Fee. Get your Refund In as I little as 24 Hours!! Jry Us... Diana Clewis' Income Tax Service 'Three well -qualified T ax Preparers 'Computerized Service Electronic Filng with Oirect Deposit 'Preparation rates Irom $20 (which include both Fed & Slate) *Oui-ol~3i.ie iSojwooi.i & 'ioii-ntiaiJeni) SC. VA, CA an d U3 Super Fast Refunds Hoi den Beach Road (Hwy 130E), 1/2 Mile east Bus ?17 Beside JR's Steak House. Shallotle, NC Hours: 8:30 am to 7:30 pm ? (919)754-8979 inrpnnn Deli/Bakery Hwy 17 Shallotte, NC Deli/Bakery Open 6am- 6pm Jot special orders, party trays, cak&s, etc... Call'Denise at 754-7100 Prices good thru February 26, 1992 'DeCi Specials Fresh Baked French Bread ? .OV Chocolate or Yellow m 8" Round Layer Cake 4,77 Deli Fresh Turkey Breast - ? 3.99 Deli Boiled Ham 1.99 Deli Style Cole Slaw 99 Chicken Dinner 'iZiZi'. 1 .99 loaf each lb lb lb ea In-Store Coupon Good thru Feb. 26, 1992 Limit ont dozen per coupon Qood only at 9fiHs # 12 Jjuny 1 7, Shallotte, 9{prth Carolina kOft 1 $ Q Fresh Baked Glazed Donuts Dozen
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 20, 1992, edition 1
11
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75