After enduring an incredibly rough childhood, Sherman Hickam wanted an escape and with his mother's permission enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17 in 1962. After completing boot camp Hickam spent the early days of his service doing "float phases" in the far east.

In 1965, with tensions growing in Vietnam and eager to get into the action, Hickam volunteered to become a Marine Corps scout sniper. The incredibly dangerous job had Hickam working with a spotter and going deep behind enemy lines for both reconnaissance and to take out high value targets.

In 1966, while assisting on a rescue mission for a downed helicopter Hickam and his fellow Marines stumbled onto a large force of Viet Cong fighters. In the ensuing firefight, Hickam was wounded by mortar fire and evacuated from the battlefield.

Interview recorded on June 26, 2023



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Video Credits:
Editor Daniel Taksas
Director of Photography Jon Hambacker