Ex-POW of WWII publishes first book

Crawford Hicks, 98, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was held as a prisoner of war for just over a year. Hicks always when presented the opportunity, loves sharing his story, but is even more excited now to share it permanently as he has published his first book.

“A while back ago when I was visiting family they recorded me telling my story,” Hicks said. “Later one of my grandchildren converted those tapes to discs. Well after speaking with my children and other family members, they inspired me to write my story and have it published.”

Hicks joined the Army Air Corps a few months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and learned to fly B-17s, although his mother did not want him to fly.

“My mother did not like that at all, but I didn’t want to do anything else,” Hicks said. “They actually gave me a brand new B-17 before my first mission. It had four hours of time on it. I was so frightened that first mission I almost got sick.”

Hicks flew nine missions during World War II, but in 1944 his last mission didn’t go as planned. A German plane shot down him and his crew.

“We were hit in the right wing and set the two right engines on fire,” Hicks said. “Next thing that happened was we were forced to jump out of the plane and the Germans were right there waiting for us. They immediately took us in as prisoners of war. I was lucky however. The prison camp in Germany was not bad for me. The Lord took good care of me all the way.”

General George Patton and his command released Hicks in 1945. He continued his service until 1966. It wasn’t until this year, over 50 years since his service, that Hicks was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal. He said that one is special because he received a lot of medals for his service, but this is the first one he was awarded in person.

Saturday Hicks held a book signing at Majestic Frames in Warner Robins. Local artist Jim Balleto was also there to sign books, as he was the illustrator for Hicks’ book. Hicks is not sure just yet of when he will do another signing, but will announce soon. Hicks is a resident of Warner Robins.

Part of his book, Hicks shared what he always told himself before every mission.

“I’d say Lord, is today the day I get killed and then a peace came over me that I had nothing to do with what’s going to happen. So ‘go ahead and do it buddy’ and I did. That took care of me,” Hicks said.