Commemorating the life and legacy of Private Oscar Cleveland Hicks, USA.
Summary
House Joint Resolution 508 is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and military service of Private Oscar Cleveland Hicks of the United States Army. The resolution recounts his upbringing in Henrico, Hanover, and Louisa Counties, his enlistment in 1943 shortly after turning 18, and his service with the 79th Infantry Division during World War II. It highlights his participation in the Normandy campaign, the Battle of Cherbourg, the liberation of towns across France, and the Ardennes-Alsace Campaign, as well as the wounds he suffered and his death in combat in January 1945.
The resolution also describes the later recovery of Hicks’s story through family research and the recollections of Margaret Kersey Tiller, who preserved letters, cards, and photographs from his wartime service. It closes by recognizing the 80th anniversary of his death and directing the Clerk of the House of Delegates to present a copy of the resolution to his family as a formal expression of respect and remembrance.
Impact
This resolution does not change state law, create new programs, or impose regulatory requirements. Its legal effect is ceremonial only: it formally commemorates an individual Virginia servicemember and authorizes presentation of the resolution to his family. The practical impact is symbolic recognition by the General Assembly of a World War II veteran’s sacrifice and legacy.
Sentiment
The sentiment around the bill is strongly positive and unanimous in tone, reflecting respect, gratitude, and remembrance for Private Hicks’s military service and sacrifice. Because the measure is a memorial resolution and the available record shows no recorded opposition, it appears to have been noncontroversial and broadly supported by both chambers. The language emphasizes heroism, family remembrance, and historical appreciation.
Contention
There is no evident policy contention in the bill or the available legislative history. The only potentially sensitive aspect is the historical account of wartime loss and the family’s long effort to reconstruct Hicks’s life, but this is presented as part of the resolution’s commemorative purpose rather than as a matter of dispute. No committee debate, amendments, or recorded votes indicating disagreement are available.