Hicks, Darrion Terrell

Darrion Terrell Hicks was a 21-year-old soldier from Raleigh, North Carolina. He served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army, assigned to the 42nd Clearance Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, based in Bamberg, Germany. His unit specialized in route clearance, a dangerous task involving the detection and disposal of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

On July 19, 2012, Corporal Hicks was killed by enemy small-arms fire in the Ghazni province of eastern Afghanistan. He was part of a security patrol in the Andar district, an area known for insurgent activity. The Department of Defense confirmed his death was the result of a hostile attack.

Hicks died during the latter years of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2012, the conflict was characterized by a focus on counterinsurgency and training Afghan security forces, with eastern provinces like Ghazni remaining significant areas of combat. U.S. casualty figures that year remained high as troops conducted clearance and stability operations.

Following his death, Hicks's body was returned to the United States. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other commendations. His funeral was held in Raleigh, where he was remembered by family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

Corporal Hicks is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the North Carolina State Capitol and on online veterans' memorials. He is survived by his mother and other family members. His unit continued its deployment following his loss.

Corporal Hicks was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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