The Rotary Club of Enfield is honoring Enfield’s veterans by sponsoring military tribute banners that will be displayed in Higgins Park, the Town Green, Freshwater Walkway, North Main Street and Hazardville between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 and 2027. The Enfield Public Library partnered with Enfield Rotary to preserve digital versions of these banners as well as biographical information about each veteran.
Clarence Hicks
United States Navy 1944-1945 (KIA)
World War II
Seaman
Purple Heart
american campaign medal
asiatic pacific campaign medal
Navy presidential unit citation
navy good conduct medal
navy expeditionary medal
Lost at Sea - Uss indianapolis
Seaman First Class Clarence Hicks was born to Essie and Mollie Mainor Hicks on April 1, 1925, in Middletown, Ct. He was fifth of eight children. He was drafted on April 4, 1944, three days after his 18th birthday. Seaman Hicks was a graduate of Enfield High School class of 1944. He was athletic and the only Black student in his class. He was described as being quick, fast and wiry.
After enlistment, he reported to Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois on April 6, 1944, for basic training. From there he transferred to the U.S. Naval Training and Distribution Center at Camp Shoemaker in Dublin, California before being transferred to the USS Indianapolis on December 1, 1944. His rank was Seaman First Class (SC) meaning that he was in training for the rank of ship's cook. He was 20 years old when he lost his life in the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis. He was unmarried and had no children.
