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 [then Private First Class] Hugh J. Vickery (ASN: 20232201), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 276th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 12 January 1945, near Rothbach, France. Sergeant Vickery, having been wounded and awaiting evacuation, did, when the enemy launched a strong counterattack, in spite of his wounds and with utter disregard for his own safety, return to his machine gun section, assume command and calmly reorganized it. His action inspired such confidence in the men of the section that they successfully repulsed the counterattack. Sergeant Vickery was again wounded in this action but refused to leave his post until the enemy had been driven off.