The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Warrant Officer (W-1) Robin K. Hicks (ASN: W-3157786), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 281st Aviation Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 29 March 1968. Warrant Officer Hicks distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while piloting a UH-1H helicopter during an airmobile recovery operation west of Hue. When a U.S. Marine CH-46 aircraft was downed by enemy fire in a landing zone in the vicinity of the A Shau Valley, he volunteered to attempt to pick up the downed crew. He piloted his ship into the landing zone, picked up the crew, and departed. Moments later, the aircraft was hit by enemy automatic weapons fire and began to shudder violently. The aircraft commander was fatally wounded and slumped over the controls. Warrant Officer Hicks brought the ship under control and performed an emergency landing. On the ground, he retrieved the body of the aircraft commander and gathered his weapons before enemy fire forced the crew to take cover. They reached the friendly position and began to dig in. Throughout the night, artillery and airstrikes pounded the enemy stronghold, but they still received hostile mortar and rocket fire. Warrant Officer Hicks pulled guard during the night, and also assisted the medics. When the ground force moved to a new landing zone, he carried the body of the aircraft commander, and aided the wounded. They reached the new landing zone despite occasional mortar fire, and were evacuated without incident. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.