After serving in the Army during World War II, including seeing combat in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, he moved to Memphis.
The rugged terrain of this area was the scene of a long, bloody, drawn-out battle during World War II, often referred to as the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, which took place over three months during a very cold winter from 19 September 1944 to 10 February 1945.
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The 1st would later repel a German counteroffensive at Mortain, and pursue the German Army across France, culminating in the Battles of Aachen and the Huertgen Forest.
The 3rd Armored had already taken part in combat during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge, and after Hickey assumed command the division continued to fight, taking the city of Cologne in March, 1945, and crossing the Saale River.
He was in command of forces which captured the German town of Hürtgen as part of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest.