Greensboro soldier laid to rest

Spc. David Emanuel Hickman, 23, was injured by an improvised explosive device and died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 13. He served with the Fort Bragg-based 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

A newlywed, Hickman was on his first overseas deployment and was scheduled to come home on Dec. 1.

WFMY News reports that his body was flown into Greensboro on Thanksgiving Day and given an escort through the city by police and the Greensboro chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders.

His funeral was held Saturday morning at the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and he was buried with full military honors at Lakeview Memorial Park.

A Greensboro native, Hickman was a 2006 graduate of Northeast Guilford High School, where he played outside linebacker on the football team. He was team captain and made All-Conference.

He joined the Army in 2009 after attending Ferrum College in Virginia.

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman's Badge and Parachutist Badge. He is slated to receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and Combat Infantry Badge, according to his obituary.

Hickman is survived by his wife, Cali Kim Hickman, of Mcleansville; his parents, David Eugene and Veronica Hickman, also of Mcleansville; a brother and three grandparents.