Homer Hickam
Homer Hadley Hickam Jr. (born February 19, 1943) is an American author, Vietnam War veteran, and a former NASA engineer who trained the first Japanese astronauts. His 1998 memoir Rocket Boys (also published as October Sky) was a New York Times Best Seller and was the basis for the 1999 film October Sky. Hickam's body of written work also includes several additional best-selling memoirs and novels, including the "Josh Thurlow" historical fiction novels, his 2015 best-selling Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, his Wife, and her Alligator and in 2021 the sequel to Rocket Boys titled Don't Blow Yourself Up: The Further Adventures and Travails of the Rocket Boy of October Sky. His books have been translated into many languages.
Homer Hickam
Homer Hadley Hickam Jr.
February 19, 1943
Coalwood, West Virginia, U.S.
Author
Rocket Boys: A Memoir
Torpedo Junction
Back to the Moon
The Josh Thurlow series
The Coalwood Way
Sky of Stone
Red Helmet
We Are Not Afraid
Linda Terry Hickam
Paula Morgan (div. 1986)
Homer Hickam Sr. (father)
Elsie Hickam (mother)
Jim Hickam (brother)
1964–1970
Captain (US)
Honors[edit]
In 1984, Hickam was presented with Alabama's Distinguished Service Award for heroism shown during a rescue effort of the crew and passengers of a sunken paddleboat in the Tennessee River.[36] Because of this award, Hickam was honored in 1996 by the United States Olympic Committee to carry the Olympic Torch through Huntsville, Alabama, on its way to Atlanta.[37]
In 1999, the governor of West Virginia issued a proclamation in honor of Hickam for his support of his home state and his distinguished career as both an engineer and author and declared an annual "Rocket Boys Day".
In 2000, the Virginia Tech junior class selected Hickam as the namesake for the Virginia Tech class of 2002 ring collection, the Homer Hickam Collection.[38]
In 2007, Hickam was awarded an honorary doctorate in Literature from Marshall University.[39] That same year, he received the Distinguished Achievement Award from Virginia Tech.[40]
In 2010, Hickam received the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award at the Spirit of America Festival.[41]
In 2013, Hickam won the Clarence Cason Award from the University of Alabama for his non-fiction writing.[42]
In 2014, Hickam won the Appalachian Heritage Writer's Award at Shepherd University.[43]
In 2023, Hickam was presented with the Vietnam Veterans of America's Lifetime Achievement Award. [44]