The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Daniel F. Hickey, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Machine Gunner, First Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (Forward), on 2 August 2008, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 2 August 2008, Lance Corporal Hickey’s mounted patrol was ambushed by medium machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades from a large element of enemy fighters occupying elevated positions adjacent to his patrol. After Lance Corporal Hickey’s vehicle commander dismounted to employ his grenade launcher he was struck in the leg by machine gun fire, rendering him immobile. Seeing this, Lance Corporal Hickey immediately dismounted and rushed to recover his wounded leader. While machine gun fire impacted inches from him, Lance Corporal Hickey dragged the Marine to his vehicle and began lifting him inside. Meanwhile, as the squad’s machine gunner reloaded his weapon system, the enemy poured forth a renewed assault upon Lance Corporal Hickey’s position, one round struck the turret gunner’s leg through the open hatch of his vehicle. Amidst the renewed enemy onslaught, Lance Corporal Hickey knelt in place, sighted in on a machine gun and rocket team and engaged, killing several fighters as they prepared to engage his patrol. He continued engaging the enemy at three separate positions, preventing them from massing fires on his vehicle. Lance Corporal Hickey’s action saved the life of his vehicle commander, and was instrumental to enabling his squad to fight through a fierce enemy ambush. By his bold leadership, presence of mind, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Hickey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.