The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Charles R. Hickox, Jr. (MCSN: 0-23566), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 9 May 1945. When his Company was assigned the duties of assaulting and capturing a well-fortified and strongly-defended enemy ridge with its approaches covered by heavy mortar, flanking machine-gun and small-arms fire, First Lieutenant Hickox personally led the assault elements of his company in the attack and was painfully wounded in the leg from hostile rifle fire. Refusing to be evacuated, he continued to lead and direct the attack for a period of three hours, moving among and encouraging the foremost assault troops until the objective was taken. When it became impossible for him to move along the lines because of the loss of blood and stiffness in his wounded leg, he remained with his troops and directed the occupation of the position. After he had assured himself that the newly won objective was secured and the reorganization of his Company had been completed, First Lieutenant Hickox relinquished his command and submitted to evacuation. His indomitable fighting spirit, leadership and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.