Captain Hawkins was the pilot of a B-26B Invader bomber with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Wing. On 24 May 1952, while on a night intruder mission at "Purple Four," there was an explosion aboard the aircraft. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on 28 February 1954. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Captain Hawkins was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.