Soldier Honored: David E. Hickman

Specialist David Hickman, 23, was assigned to 2^nd Battalion, 325^th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 82^nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On November 14, 2011, while on a police-type patrol in Baghdad, Hickman was killed by a roadside bomb that tore through his armored truck. He was the last American soldier killed in the Iraq War

A lifelong resident of Greensboro, North Carolina, he graduated from Northeast High School in 2006. He was an all-conference outside linebacker for the Rams football team and served as team captain. David was also an accomplished black belt in the art of Taekwondo. He joined the military in 2009 after a short college stint at Ferrum College in Virginia.

His military awards and decorations prior to include the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantry Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. His awards to come are the Combat Infantry Badge, The Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.