Sam "H." Hicks
Sergeant Sam “H.” Hicks died in an airplane crash off the California coast while training with VMSB-141.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 257997
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
CONUS Loss
Because this individual died within the limits of the continental United States, they are not tracked by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 14, 1916
at Fresno, CA
Parents
Frank Ragland Hicks, Jr.
Ruby Mae (Sheppard) Hicks
Education
C. E. Byrd High School
Occupation & Employer
Professional Marine
Service Life
Entered Service
March 25, 1937
at Shreveport, LA
Home Of Record
Shreveport, LA
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Lena M. Hicks
Military Specialty
Aviator
Parachutist
Primary Unit
VMSB-141
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Gavutu
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (7 August 1942)
Good Conduct Medal
Additional Service Details
Hicks received a gunshot wound in the face while serving with Company B, First Marine Parachute Battalion.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant Sam Hicks – a long-serving Marine and combat-wounded veteran of Gavutu – was assigned to Marine Base Defense Aircraft Group (MBDAG) 41 in 1943 for training as an aerial gunner. On 14 December 1943, Hicks joined VMSB-141 to begin training flights. He boarded a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless (Bureau Number 28362) and took off with 2Lr. Philip Ross Hedrick at the controls.
Shortly after 1430 hours, Lieutenant Hedrick put the SBD into a practice dive. According to observers, the plane’s dive brakes “closed” at an altitude of 2,000 feet – whether due to mechanical failure or pilot error is not known – and the bomber roared down towards the sea. Hedrick managed to clear the cockpit and parachute down from 400 feet; Hicks did not escape in time. The bomber hit the water and disappeared about twelve miles west of Dana Point.
Aircraft, surface craft, and a blimp participated in a search. Lieutenant Hedrick was rescued by a fishing boat and treated for shock and slight injuries. No sign of Sam Hicks could be found, and based on the available evidence it was concluded that he had gone down with the plane.
Burial Information or Disposition
Lost at sea.
Memorials
No known memorial.
Next Of Kin Address
Wartime address of wife, Mrs. Lena M. Hicks.
Location Of Loss
The crash occurred approximately 12 miles west of Dana Point, California.
