Stanley A. Mathewson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Stanley A. Mathewson, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private First Class Mathewson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Pungchon-ni, Korea, on 17 and 18 May 1951. While occupying a forward position as an assistant machine-gunner during a savage battle with a fanatical enemy force, Private Mathewson was wounded in the head by an enemy grenade. Shortly thereafter, the machine-gunner was also wounded, and Private Mathewson, ignoring the pain from his own wound, took a position at the gun and raked the enemy troops with devastating fire. Heedless of the intense mortar, grenade and automatic-weapons fire concentrated on his position, he continued to place withering fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. The hostile assaults on his position increased in fury and for two days and nights, without food or water, Private Mathewson held his ground, killing the enemy at point-blank range and continually repulsing their savage attacks. His gallant stand prevented the enemy from overrunning his position and contributed greatly to the successful defensive actions of his unit.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 479 (June 30, 1951)