Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 7, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 63 (March 22, 1951)

    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 Private Henry L. Hicks (ASN: RA-019367939), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 7 January 1951 in the vicinity of Kamaji, Korea. His company, which was occupying defensive positions on high ground overlooking the town of Wonju, was subjected to a fierce attack by numerically superior enemy forces. Private Hicks, serving as assistant automatic rifleman, was in position in the saddle between two ridges and was cut off from his squad by the infiltrating enemy. With complete indifference for his personal safety and under an intense barrage of hostile automatic weapons fire, he assisted a comrade in moving his weapon to a hazardous but effective firing position from where he met the enemy assault with a continuous and deadly base of fire. As he was engaging the enemy, he was struck and killed by hostile fire. His heroic stand in the face of overwhelming odds drove the enemy back with heavy losses and enabled his company to restore its defensive positions. The gallantry and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Private Hicks reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.