Ralph Hickox

Lt. Comdr. Ralph Hickox (August 29, 1903 – February 18, 1942) was an officer of the United States Navy during World War II.

Hickox was born 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.

Namesake

In 1943, the destroyer USS Hickox (DD-673) was named in his honor.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.