The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Oscar A. Hicks, Jr. (ASN: US-55259918), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. During the early morning hours of 6 July 1953, in the vicinity of Honu-Chon, Korea, Company K commenced to attack enemy held Hill 250. The assault platoon met with no resistance until entering the second sector of the objective, where they came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire. Sergeant HICKS, squad leader of the second assault squad, immediately began to move among his men, effectively deploying them and directing their fire. As the attacking force neared the crest of the second sector, they came under raking machine gun fire from a large bunker located to their left front. Without hesitation, Sergeant HICKS ordered his men to move to the right and give covering fire to enable him to rush the position in an attempt to destroy it. Despite the heavy fire, he ran to the bunker and, with a comrade, succeeded in climbing onto the roof. When last seen, he was courageously hurling grenades into the aperture. His heroic actions contributed in large measure to the destruction of the fortification and the successful completion of the mission. Sergeant HICK’S outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.