THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

SP4 Roger A. Hickok was a Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC), 84th Engineer Battalion. Beginning about noon on May 17, 1970, Hickok and members of his unit had a party which lasted the entire afternoon. Much drinking took place, and by early evening many of the tanked-up engineers moved into the S-4 billets where several of the revelers became engaged in horseplay, roughhousing, and pushing and shoving. The boisterous behavior resulted in items getting knocked off tables and belongings falling from lockers. On a bed, a wrestling match was taking place between Hickok and an E-3 private. As the two men entangled in a friendly struggle, the owner of the bed, a sergeant, came forward and shouted, “That’s enough!” He yelled at them three or four times more before announcing, “I’ve had enough of your shit.” About that time the wrestlers noticed he was leveling a M16 rifle at them. As the two men scrambled to untangle themselves, a shot was fired. The round struck Hickok on the right side of the body below his ribs. He was carried from the barracks by four men to the 84th Battalion dispensary and was still alive when transported to the 67th Evacuation Hospital. The bullet deflated his right lung and caused massive damage to Hickok’s liver, and he was pronounced dead at 8:45 PM. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and U.S. Army CID investigation documents]

Dear Sp4 Roger Hickok, Thank you for your service as a Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. Your 49th anniversary just passed, sad. Today is the day that was originally set aside as Memorial Day when we honor you all. Please watch over the USA. It stills needs your courage. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SP4 Roger Alan Hickok, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

SP4 Roger A. Hickok was a light-wheel vehicle mechanic serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 84th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade. On May 17, 1970, SP4 Hickok was the victim of an intentional homicide at the hands of another U.S. serviceman. The following is a personal account of the incident by Chuck Stewart: At the time of SP4 Roger A. Hickok’s death, we were stationed at Camp Williams, about a mile outside Qui Nhon in Bien Dinh Province. Camp Williams was a large camp and had A Company, C Company, Headquarters Company and all battalion support operations located inside the wire. Our battalion commander was COL Richard Wells (later MG Richard Wells – he passed away in 2015). The battalion XO/S3 was MAJ Dan Clark. The battalion surgeon was CAPT James Harkrader and battalion chaplain was Conall Murphy (now buried in Arlington Cemetery for heroism in WWII). Information on the internet says that Roger Hickok was in HHQ, but I believe he was assigned to A Company. He was very well liked and highly regarded. The men lived in barracks (in very crowded conditions). On the night of May 17, 1970, Roger Hickok was shot and killed by his best friend (I can’t remember that man’s name at this time). The man who shot Roger was drunk at the time and was sent to Long Binh Jail for holding and prosecution. The battalion held a memorial service for Roger lead by Chaplin Murphy. This incident caused COL Wells to have all M-16’s chained and locked to prevent any reoccurrence. (Narrative by Chuck Stewart, Mil. Ret.) [Some info taken from coffeltdatabase.org]