The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant John Thomas Hickerson, Jr. (ASN: 34360884), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, during World War II. When attacking troops of his infantry regiment were subjected to a particularly heavy enemy mortar barrage, which caused many casualties in the Manila Gas Works area on 9 February 1945, Sergeant Hickerson immediately went to the aid of the wounded, exposing himself for 30 minutes as he administered first aid and assisted 12 men to safety. As the shelling intensified, Sergeant Hickerson, who had been struck by a shell fragment, sought the protection of a nearby building. Suddenly he heard a wounded soldier cry for help. Moving through the impact area to the casualty’s side, Sergeant Hickerson helped check the loss of blood. Then, after an unsuccessful search for a litter, he was on his way back to carry the casualty to safety when an enemy shell exploded nearby, the concussion throwing Sergeant Hickerson to the ground. A few second later he was killed instantly when another mortar shell burst a few feet from him. Sergeant Hickerson gave his life in a valiant attempt to save that of a comrade. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.