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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Herbert Cleveland Hicks, Jr. (ASN: 0-360592), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, Special Troops, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Sicily, in July 1943. When an LST burst into flames after receiving a direct hit from an enemy dive bomber and ammunition it was carrying began to explode, Major Hicks organized amphibious trucks in the vicinity and, despite a hail of strafing fire, led them to the ship and rescued a large group of men. Because of his brave actions, the lives of twenty-eight men were saved. 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 and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944
    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herbert Cleveland Hicks, Jr. (ASN: 0-360592), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Hicks, commanding one of the initial assault battalions, landed a the initial stage of the battle in the face of heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. Finding parts of the battalion leaderless and pinned down by the heavy and intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Hicks, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved to the foremost elements of his unit and reorganized them for an assault on the enemy strongholds. Courageously, he led a small combat group through a breach in the wire over a thickly strewn mine field and gained the cliff sides directly under the enemy guns. Lieutenant Colonel Hicks personally assaulted and destroyed an enemy pillbox and two machine gun nests with hand grenades. Having placed the men along the cliff, Lieutenant Colonel Hicks then returned to the beach to the cliff heights. From this point, he led a successful assault which gained the battalion’s objective. The superior leadership and personal bravery of Lieutenant Colonel Hicks reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.