By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private First Class William F. Hickey (ASN: 110285), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private First Class Hickey distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 103d Machine-Gun Battalion, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Belleau Woods, France, 18 – 24 July 1918, in twice exposing himself to heavy machine gun fire in order to secure a stretcher for wounded men of his squad.