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1st Lt Gordon D. Hicks' father was erving with the British Army when he was born. The family immigrated in Spetember 1920.

He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and attended Haverford College and the University of North Carolina he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce.

He enlisted at Ford Jay, Governors Island, New York on 19 June 1942 and attended Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1943. He joined his unit in July 1944

He awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation cited: Lt Hicks, serving as a platoon leader, distinguished himself by outstanding conduct during the fighting for the possession of an enemy held town. He personnally directed his platoon to a defensive position from which an enemy attack could be met. The tactical skill Lt Hicks exhibited and his devotion to duty while under fire contributed materially to the successful repulsing of the counterattack.

Commanding Officer, Col Branner P. Purdue, wrote the following to his family, regardin his death: "Lieutenant Hicks, who was serving as a platoon leader in Company L of this regiment, was a member of an assault force that attacked the town of Magdeburg, Germany. On this occasion he was leading tanks forward to assist the advance of the infantry when he was mortally wounded by shrapnel from an enemy shell."