Saving the Enemy: Lessons in Compassion and Courage from WWII

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day in the U.S., I wanted to share the story of my great-uncle Everard Hicks, a Kentucky-born WWII field medic who received a Bronze Star for putting his own life and military career at risk to save wounded German soldiers.

Great-uncle Everard was assigned to the 924th Field Artillery Battalion in the 99th Infantry. He served his country as a medic in the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944, helping his comrades survive relentless enemy artillery fire, endure freezing temperatures, and ultimately regain lost ground against German forces.

In February of 1945, while marching through the snowy German terrain, two men from of Everard’s platoon wandered into a mine field, where they were badly wounded. In the face of enemy fire, Everard stepped into their footprints to avoid being blown up, dodged bullets, and hauled them back to safety. 

But Everard’s skill and bravery wasn’t only reserved for his fellow Americans. Later that month, a German civilian approached him to beg for medical attention for a number of wounded teenage German soldiers in a nearby town. The town had not been cleared of enemy troops, but Everard and a buddy headed into town anyway, tended to the wounded, and brought one young German soldier back to their American camp for further treatment. 

The next morning, Everard’s commanding officer was furious when he heard what had happened. He ordered Everard to lead a small squad back into the occupied German town to “clear it” of any remaining German forces—something Everard had never done before.

But when Everard arrived into town, he was greeted with flowers and approached by the mayor, who offered his full cooperation. More than 300 German troops came out of hiding from houses all over town, laid down their arms, and surrendered unconditionally to my great-uncle.  On his first such mission, he peacefully captured 300 German soldiers without a single shot fired.

Later, on the way back across the Danube river, Everard’s platoon came across the site of a German ambush that had killed many American soldiers. The surviving American soldiers had captured a young SS officer and taken him prisoner. As this prisoner was being questioned, an American tank rolled up, a tanker jumped out, and shot the young German in the chest.

Everard immediately began tending the wound and administered plasma. The tanker, whose brother had been killed by German troops the day before, flew into a rage and threatened to shoot Everard if he helped this “son-of-a-bitch.” 

My great-uncle, in his smooth Kentucky drawl, calmly told the tank commander to go right ahead, but insisted on saving this young man’s life first. The tanker just stormed away. And after the SS officer’s life was saved, out of gratitude he revealed the positions of all the remaining German artillery.

I am so proud of my great-uncle Everard, his compassion, his courage and his conviction. He never wavered from his Hippocratic oath, no matter what the risks. He offered the same human decency to enemy soldiers, because he didn't see enemies. He saw frightened young people in desperate need of help. So he consistently chose to be a force for good, even in the most hellish conditions. 

And as we celebrate our veterans today, I think it only fitting to remember that when they put their lives on the line, they do so for all of us. Not for any particular race, creed, or political party. But for the cause of freedom and human liberty for all. 

May we learn a lesson about unity from their example.

To read more about my great-uncle, and for countless other tales of courage and compassion from the WWII medical core, click here.