This looks like classic cicada egg-laying damage. While they lay eggs in a wide range of plant  species, they do seem to cause prominent damage on oaks. If you can reach any of the affected twigs (or if any have already fallen), look for the damage pictured on these pages:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/cicadas

https://cicadacrewumd.weebly.com/gallery.html (see the "damage to plants" section)

No action needs to be taken if cicadas are the cause of dieback. It's a natural form of pruning and storms over the next few months will help to snap-off any dying or broken twigs. Mature trees recover well on their own and should start putting-out replacement growth next year.

If you don't see cicada scarring, please send us more detailed photos of the damage, preferably on an area of stem where dieback meets healthy wood.

Miri