When John Hickam was born on July 18, 1924, in Madison, Kentucky, his father, John, was 32 and his mother, Goldy, was 18. He had one brother and one sister. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Private First Class in the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. He entered service in Kentucky on September 22, 1943. He died on August 27, 1944 during the invasion of southern France. He is now buried at Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, USA.