The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as both an educator and an entertainer to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Hickerson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 147 (VA-147)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
December 18, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 18 December 1967 as a Pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN (VA-147), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61). As the Section Leader in a Division of four A-7 aircraft, Commander Hickerson participated in a strike against a key highway bridge between Haiphong and Hanoi, North Vietnam. En route to the enemy coastline, the Division Leader and his wingman were forced to turn back because of aircraft difficulties. Commander Hickerson then assumed the lead of the strike element, leading the flight into the target area and locating the bridge. When his wingman’s release circuitry malfunctioned, Commander Hickerson pressed the attack alone, delivering his six 100-pound bombs directly on the bridge, completely demolishing it. By his courage, initiative, and bombing accuracy, he was directly responsible for the destruction of this vital element of the enemy’s logistic system. His ultimate success in accomplishing the assigned mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 22, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Commander James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 22, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
1969 to February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from a period in 1969 to February 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Hickerson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 27, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 27 December 1967. Commander Hickerson’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Hickerson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to July 1969 and from September 1971 to May 1972. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainAction Date:
November 1984 – October 1986
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander, Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California from November 1984 through October 1986. Captain Hickerson’s inspirational leadership, unfailing sound judgment, and total dedication enabled increased effectiveness at both the Pacific Missile Test Center and the Pacific Missile Range Facility. He improved the Test Center’s operating efficiency by skillfully overseeing the complicated planning and execution of a major computer facility move. Captain Hickerson showed superb wisdom and managerial expertise in resolving problems regarding range resources and public closure of parts of the sea test range and in directing complex naval support efforts for several presidential visits. His personal involvement in obtaining replacement aircraft and Fiscal Year 1985 year-end funding to the Pacific Missile Range Facility resulted in improved training support to the Fleet. Through his active community service, including many talks on his prisoner of war experiences, Captain Hickerson significantly enhanced the Navy’s image and provided an inspiring message of patriotism. By his exceptional performance, command skill, and steadfast devotion to duty, Captain Hickerson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander James Martin Hickerson (NSN: 0-561065), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in February 1968. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]