After serving as the Class of 1954's Student Body President and graduating from Montgomery Blair, Terry answered his country's call to arms and became an Air Force Flying Officer. His life was one that exemplified courage, leadership and dedication. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while missing in action.

      On 15 August 1968, while flying near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam in an RF-4C Phantom Jet Reconnaissance aircraft, Terry and his weapons system operator, Major Shanahan, were hit by a surface-to-air missile. They were forced to eject and landed one mile apart.

      Major Shanahan talked briefly with Terry, using their survival radios, until his "backseater" heard a firefight on the other side of the hill that separated them. Terry elected to fight rather than surrender. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart posthumously.

      Stunned as we were by this loss, it took the Class of 1954 many years to find the best way to honor our fallen classmate. In 1984, at our Class's 30th reunion Hervey W. Harper, Jr. (aka Sonny) suggested that each year we (the Class of 1954) could award a college scholarship to the most deserving Blair graduate in Terry's memory. This idea began to gain energy, the hat was passed and that year we raised $250. Ted Parker stepped forward and volunteered to be the Memorial Chariman and Chief Spokeman of the Foundation.

      The first 10 years were the "lean" ones as far as the size of our scholarship--but not its heart.We organized and began soliciting our fellow class members. The Memorial Foundation account grew steadily. Each year one bright young man or woman is called forth to stand with two aging Blair grads at the end-of-school awards ceremony to hear Terry's valiant story and accept a check from the Class of '54 in his name.

      Based on attainments in scholastic pursuits, leadership and athletics, the Terry Hicks Award evolved into "The Best All Around Student Award," a name selected by Blair administrators. Each year through 2003, Terry's mom attended the presentation, stood, and was grandly acknowledged by students and faculty. Terry undoubtedly learned courage and determination from his mother. As a member of the M.I.A. Gold Star Mothers, she spearheaded efforts to find her son's remains (they remain unlocated) even though she had lost her eyesight. She was our Emeritus Class Mother. Edna died on October 21st 2007. We will forever miss her

      In 2004 we presented a $3,000 scholarship. In subsequent years the winners received $4,500. It is our hope that this amount will grow each year. As our 55th reunion draws near, we urge all of our classmates--and any others who would like to participate--to join in contributing to this scholarship that is awarded each year in Terry's memory.