He was a lawyer by profession and became the senior partner of Wickes, Riddell, Bloomer, Jacobi and McGuire in New York City.

He arrived in Paris on December 26, and was assigned to direct the processing of war risk insurance for officers and men of the 1st, 2nd, 42nd and 26th Divisions stationed at Neufchâteau.

He was then reassigned to the staff of Major General Paul A. M. Maistre, commander of the French Group of Armies of the center, and served there until December 19, 1918.

Wickes lived in France during his childhood and acquired a keen interest in French art.

Wickes had lectured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and exhibited loan collections in Copenhagen and at the Carnegie Institute.

[7] His estate also donated a large number of books on military subjects to the library of the United States Naval War College in Newport.

Wickes provided for the base and plaques for the statue of the Comte de Rochambeau which stands in King Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

He aided materially in the maintenance of cordial relations between the French and American Military Authorities, his service being continually marked by ability, sound judgment and devotion to duty.