The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Clifford B. Hicks (MCSN: 0-11483), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands on December 16, 1943. Courageously leading two rifle squads and a machine gun section up a steep incline in a daring encirclement of strongly fortified enemy installations, First Lieutenant Hicks was halted at the crest of the vital ridge by withering hostile fire which wounded three of his men. Realizing that his position was untenable, he quickly withdrew his units from the slope, then unhesitatingly made his way forward under an intense barrage from enemy gun emplacements and, with the aid of another Marine, removed two of the casualties to safety, returning alone to evacuate the remaining injured man. Subsequently reorganizing his troops, he established contact with an adjoining company and carried out a successful assault against the Japanese forces. First Lieutenant Hick’s inspiring leadership and daring initiative in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.