DEATH OF A TRUE HERO
Albert Joe Hickman was reportedly born in Nebraska on April 4, 1938. He joined the Navy during June 1956 and became a naval aviator. On December 4, 1959, he was a member of Fighter Squadron 121 (VF-121) and was practicing carrier landings at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego preparatory to deploying aboard a carrier. At approximately noon, as he piloted a McDonnell F3H Demon fighter near the airport, the engine suddenly stalled. Although he was at a sufficient altitude to elect, the plane was headed directly toward an elementary school where hundreds of children were playing in the school yard. Ensign Hickman chose to stay in the cockpit and navigate the aircraft away from the school. However, after he had navigated the aircraft away from the school he was too close to the ground to be able to eject. The crash occurred in a canyon adjacent to the school and Ensign Hickman was killed in the crash.
In 1962, American Legion Post #460 in the Kearny Mesa district of San Diego was dedicated to Hickman. A complex in Kearny Mesa has also been dedicated as Hickman Field Athletic Area. In 1971, a new school was established in the area and named the Hickman Elementary School. During the naming ceremony six children held a letter and recited the following:
“H” is for Hickman, a hero brave and true
“I” is for the Important decision to do what he knew
“C” is for the Children he must have been thinking of
“K” is for the Kindness he showed
“M” is for Mira Mesa, where our school will share his name
“A” is for Albert, an American we’re proud to claim
“N” is for our Nation he served with no shame
During 2011 an internet posting concerning the incident read: “I was one of those kids in the playground when the plane crashed. If it wasn’t for Ensign Hickman I would not be here today. He was my hero then and now. He is the true definition of a hero. One who sacrifices himself to save many. Thank you Ensign Hickman, you are in the arms of the angels flying high above.”
In 2015 another internet posting concerning the incident read: “I was in the 4th grade at the school when this happened. My little brother’s 3rd grade class was right in line with the trajectory of the plane crash. Thanks to Hickman’s heroic actions, my brother was saved. The windows in his classroom blew out from the impact which took out a portion of the fence at the end of the playground. I remember the fire drill that sent everyone into a panic. Everyone was crying as we gathered in front of the school. Ensign Hickman is a true hero.”
NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Ensign Albert J. Hickman, United States Navy, for heroism on 4 December 1959 as pilot of a Jet-Fighter aircraft in Navy Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VF-121) during a return flight to his home base at Naval Air Station, Miramar, California. When his aircraft went out of control as he maneuvered about the station preparatory to entering the traffic pattern, Ensign Hickman elected to remain with his craft in order to steer clear of a populated area comprising a large housing development and an elementary school. Through skillful maneuvering, he succeeded in avoiding the residential and school area, but descended below the minimum ejection altitude, sacrificing his life in the ensuing crash. Through his courageous and selfless action, Ensign Hickman undoubtedly saved many lives.
Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)
