Bernard Hicks lived in Boston, Massachussets when war broke out in Europe in summer of
1914.
When the United States entered World War I, Hicks answered his nation's call and enlisted
into the newest branch of service - the air corps and was sent to Souther Field in nearby
Americus, GA for training. In december 1918, Bernard Hicks, having never been sent overseas
was admitted to the post hospital at Souther Field with the dreaded Spanish Flu - and epidemic
that ultimately claimed the lives of 700,000 Americans and millions more around the world.
Among these was Bernard Hicks, who died at Souther Field on December 12, 1918.
His parents requested that this young soldier be buried at the nearby Andersonville National
Cemetery, alongside the thousands of other New ENglanders who also gave their lives in
Georgia in defense of our nation.