 The son of a lawyer, Hickam was born in Spencer, Indiana, the eldest of four children.While a student at the Indiana University in Bloomington, he was a member of the Indiana National Guard, then received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, where he excelled in both academics and athletics.Hickam graduated 46th in his West Point class on 14 February 1908 and was commissioned second lieutenant, 11th Cavalry, serving in Vermont 1908–09, Georgia 1909–11, and Texas 1911–13.