The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Lewis S. Hendricks, Jr. (MCSN: 299667), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader of Company G, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 10 June 1945. During the attack on a strongly defended enemy ridge, Sergeant Hendricks went forward with two others of his platoon armed with hand grenades and automatic weapons and, assaulting a hostile position which was vital in the defense of the ridge, assisted in annihilating sixteen of the enemy and in capturing a Japanese machine gun, a mortar and a number of rifles. By his courageous conduct, Sergeant Hendricks contributed materially to the successful seizure of the ridge in the shortest possible time. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.