Captain Dilliard Dashwood “Dash” Hicks, Jr. Obituary (1932 - 2015)

Captain Dilliard Dashwood "Dash" Hicks, Jr., USN, Retired, age 83, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2015 at his home in Gainesville, FL. He was born on July 7, 1932 in Tampa, FL to Dashwood and Jessie Mae Hicks Sr. and graduated from Gainesville High School Class of 1950. He attended the University of Florida from 1950-1952 and received a Bachelor's of Science from the University of Rhode Island. Dash was a Graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, RI in 1965 and 1972. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1952. After serving for eight years, he then effectuated an interservice transfer to the United States Navy. Dash was a Naval Aviator for 28 years, serving three tours in Vietnam and was a survivor of the 1967 aircraft carrier USS Forrestal fire. He served as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron VA-195, Navy Flight Instructor, U.S. Flight Demonstration Pilot of A-7E Aircraft at international air shows, Naval Air Systems Command, Commanding Officer of Fleet Coordinating Group U.S. 7th Fleet, and served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as head of international cooperative R & D programs and U.S. Representative to NATO Naval Armament Group. Dash was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 11 stars, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V with 3 stars among others. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1980 he served as a private consultant in the aerospace industry and technical consultant for the Committee on Science and Technology of the U.S. House of Representatives. Captain Hicks was a member of several organizations including the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Gainesville Quarterback Club, Exchange Club, the Ancient and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen, and the Gainesville - Alachua County Regional Airport Authority Board. He is survived by his wife Bette Jones Hicks, son J.D. Hicks, his wife Blake and their two children Dash and Lanier of Tallahassee, four stepchildren, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother Thomas P. Hicks. A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 419 NE First Street, Gainesville, FL at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 14, 2015. Friends may park to the Northwest of the church at 515 North Main Street. Interment will be later in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.