Honoring Bill Hicks of the USS Wasp

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Bill Hicks was an electrician’s mate on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. The ship was engaged almost daily in naval and aerial combat in 1945. Kamikaze attacks were becoming routine and so far, the USS Wasp had fought them all off.

In March 1945, the USS Wasp was conducting pre-invasion air strikes on the island of Okinawa. The ship continued to be under attack from ground based Japanese aircraft. On March 19, 1945 one of those planes succeeded in dropping a bomb onto the flight deck. It punched its way into the interior of the ship and exploded, killing 102 sailors and wounding 200 more.

Bill Hicks was one of the many Americans killed that day. A special exhibit is on display in the Hall of Heroes honoring him. His uniform, Purple Heart and other personal effects are also part of the memorial. Along with honoring Bill, the exhibit also recognizes the other Hicks family members who served their country. The Hicks family truly has the fighting spirit required to keep this country free. Richard Hicks, Carl Hicks, Edward Hicks, Joseph Hicks, Bernie Hicks and Ralph Hicks are also honored in the Hall of Heroes.

The museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.