Thomas Francis Hickey (United States Army officer) participant of World War I
Early life
Hickey was born in South Boston, Massachusetts on April 1, 1898, a son of Lawrence Hickey and Johanna T. (McGrath) Hickey. He graduated from South Boston High School in 1916. Hickey was a prominent high school athlete, and was a member of South Boston's football, basketball, and track teams. South Boston High School also participated in the Boston School Cadets program, which provided military training to the city's male high school students. Hickey served in 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment and attained the rank of captain.Hickey's desire for a military career was well-known among friends and family, and Hickey enlisted as a private soon after his high school graduation. He was promoted to corporal in 1917 and served in the enlisted ranks until being chosen for officer training. In the summer and fall of 1917, Hickey attended officer training at the Citizens Military Training Camp at Plattsburgh Barracks, claiming an 1897 date of birth and 1915 high school graduation in order to meet the minimum age requirement. In November 1917, Hickey received a Reserve commission as a second lieutenant of Cavalry.