The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Robert J. Hricik (ASN: 35289646), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 7 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. Acting in the capacity of First Sergeant during a battalion advance, Technical Sergeant Hricik voluntarily left his command post group and went forward two hundred yards to check a patch of woods. From a dugout two riflemen suddenly appeared and called for the Sergeant’s surrender. With great aggressiveness, Technical Sergeant Hricik kicked the rifles from their hands. Then, when one of the Germans grabbed a field phone and began to talk over it, he jerked the phone away and hit the enemy in the face with it, forcing the surrender of the two guards. Disposing of this outpost, Technical Sergeant Hricik coolly and courageously surprised and eliminated an enemy machine gun position which had been placing disastrous flanking fire upon the battalion. As a result of these gallant and courageous deeds of Technical Sergeant Hricik, the unit was able to accomplish its mission with a minimum of casualties. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.