Cornyn Staffers Present Medals To Family Of WWII Hero

TYLER — Staff members from the office of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, recently presented several WWII military service medals to Mrs. Billie Bob Hickman, wife of the late Charles “Hick” Hickman, who passed away before receiving the medals he was authorized to receive. After being contacted by Hickman’s son-in-law, Enoch Freeman, earlier this year, Sen. Cornyn worked to secure Hickman’s overdue medals, including the Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. Sen. Cornyn’s staff delivered the medals to Mrs. Hickman’s Tyler home and hosted a ceremony during which Hickman’s grandson, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Freeman, presented the medals to his grandmother. Freeman currently serves in Iraq with the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division — the same unit his grandfather served in during WWII.

“It is always a great honor to have a hand in securing long overdue medals for American heroes and the family members who supported them during their service. Sadly, WWII veteran Charles Hickman passed away before receiving the medals he was due. But thanks to the hard work and persistence of his family members, I was able to help them obtain Mr. Hickman’s medals, including the prestigious Bronze Star,” Sen. Cornyn said.

The Senator added, “In a poignant act of remembrance, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Freeman, grandson of Mr. Hickman, who today serves in the same unit his grandfather did in WWII, was able to present these medals to his grandmother while he was on leave from his tour in Iraq. Thanks to this family’s love and respect for the late Charles “Hick” Hickman, his legacy and service to our nation will be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.”