The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hospitalman Second Class William L. Hickey (NSN: 5848365), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 4 July 1966 as Senior Corpsman with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during a search and destroy operation in the Republic of Vietnam. When his company came under intense small-arms, automatic-weapons, and 57-mm. recoilless rifle fire from a numerically superior enemy force, Petty Officer Hickey braved the blistering enemy fire to move across an open field to aid a Marine trapped in an amphibian vehicle. Although he, himself, was wounded during this action, he succeeded in carrying the victim to a protected area. Realizing that two other corpsmen needed assistance in treating several casualties, he again exposed himself to the withering fire to reach their position and was wounded a second time. Disregarding the agonizing discomfort of his multiple injuries, he fearlessly moved about helping the other wounded and, upon reaching the company casualty collection point, was wounded a third time by an enemy rifle grenade. Displaying an uncommon devotion to his fellow comrades, Petty Officer Hickey refused evacuation for several hours so that he could render assistance and advice to the other corpsmen, remaining until all casualties could be treated and until evacuation of the seriously wounded was completed. His outstanding professional skill, and inspiring and unconquerable courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.