Wick was born on October 10th, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA, to Sedgwick Downey Sr. & Elizabeth Martindale Tourison. He graduated from Girard College in Philadelphia in 1958 after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was quickly recognized for having a keen analytical mind and innate linguistic ability. After serving his first tour of duty as a Morse Code Intercept operator in Europe he was promptly selected to begin language training at the Army’s Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA.
As a specialist in the Vietnamese language he would eventually be credited with a total of seven years of overseas combat service most of which occurred during the Vietnam War. He would serve 3 tours of duty in Southeast Asia as an interrogator for which he was decorated numerous times. Some honors include: the Legion of Merit Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, the Bronze Star with 1st Oak Leaf cluster, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Defense Service Medal.
He met his wife, Ping, during his first tour of duty in Vietnam and upon returning home had their first son, Kenneth. In October of 1967 after his second tour of duty his son, Steven, was born. While stationed in Laos they were blessed with a third son, Sedgwick III.
Wick returned to the U.S. in 1974 with family in tow. In1978 he retired from military service as a Chief Warrant Officer having honorably served for 20 years. After retiring from Fort Meade he and Ping moved to Crofton, MD. Soon after they purchased Tiger’s Eye Jewelry in Annapolis where his passion and professionalism manifest in the jewelry he made. During this period in addition to designing and fabricating many original jewelry pieces for Tiger’s Eye he could also be seen around Annapolis sketching in charcoal. Some of his illustrations found their way onto the walls of various businesses in the downtown area.
Wick answered another calling and went back to work for Uncle Sam in the early 1980’s. As an Investigative Research Specialist he utilized his talents investigating POW/MIA reports coming from Southeast Asia. He would receive numerous accolades directed towards his exceptional abilities to interpret and analyze data.
After taking another short break Wick took a position with the newly formed Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA affairs in the early 1990’s headed by Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Wick believed deeply in and supported the need to investigate, review, and resolve any questions about missing servicemen from Vietnam. It was through the work on this committee that he uncovered information that would later go on to be published in his 2nd non-fiction novel titled Secret Army – Secret War.
Over the last decade Wick worked as a Vietnamese interpreter for the court system; however, declining health eventually prevented him from continuing that work. He enjoyed keeping in touch with former schoolmates and co-workers and began investigating the history of the old pottery he’d collected during his time in Southeast Asia.
Wick was fascinated with all things of historical significance no matter how big or small. Though entering the Army with only his High School diploma he would eventually earn a Bachelor’s degree and at age 68 his Master’s degree. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer Wick was considering going back to pursue his Doctorate degree. He was a husband, father, veteran, jeweler, artist, interpreter, and friend to many. Most of all he was and always will be known as a character.
Wick is survived by his wife Ping, his younger brother, David, three sons, Kenneth, Steven, and Sedgwick as well as 6 grandchildren.
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