It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of General Amos Hykes, a decorated veteran, mentor, and leader whose service spanned decades and touched the lives of countless individuals. Amos Hykes also served as the Principal in the Greenville School system at the Donaldson Career Center until he retired from civilian life.
GEN Hykes honorably served in both the United States Air Force and the United States Army, as well as the South Carolina State Guard, earning distinction through his professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to duty. His service continued long after his military career, contributing significantly to the State of South Carolina and ultimately expanding his leadership in the Royal Lao Airborne (RLA) as the U.S. Deputy Commander and as the U.S. Territories Commander.
GEN Hykes was instrumental in shaping the modern Royal Lao Airborne. He founded both the RAIDER Program and the Jungle Operations Warfare Program, ensuring RLA personnel were trained and prepared to respond effectively during times of crisis and natural disasters.
He was appointed as a Royal Lao Jump Master by the Crown Prince of Laos and personally issued over one thousand sets of Royal Lao Airborne Jump Wings to Active Duty and Reserve Component service members across the Armed Forces.
SELECTED MILITARY AWARDS
United States Air Force
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Medal
United States Army
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Cold War Service Medal
Royal Lao Airborne
- Crown Prince Medal (Highest Achievement)
- 2024 Presidential Citation
- RAIDER Advanced Ribbon
- Jungle Warfare Expert Ribbon
- RLA Service Ribbon
- RLA Readiness Ribbon
- RLA Efficiency Ribbon
- RLA Individual Achievement Ribbon
- RLA Good Conduct Ribbon
FOREIGN PARACHUTIST BADGES
GEN Hykes earned multiple foreign airborne qualifications, including but not limited to:
- Lao Jump Wings
- German Jump Wings
- Italian Jump Wings
- Slovakian Jump Wings
- Swiss Jump Wings
GEN Hykes also received numerous awards and commendations during his service with the South Carolina State Guard, further reflecting a lifetime dedicated to service, leadership, and the betterment of others.
His legacy will endure through the programs he built, the soldiers he trained, and the countless individuals he inspired. The Royal Lao Airborne, the State of South Carolina, and the broader military community have lost a remarkable leader.