Robert J. Matthews

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Robert J. Matthews, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company L, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in Germany on 24 February 1945. When his platoon was pinned down in the open by enemy machine guns with superior fire power, Private First Class Matthews immediately put his light machine gun into action. At one point he voluntarily rushed twenty yards into the face of the enemy to gain a better position in order to cover the withdrawal of his comrades while the enemy concentrated to knock him out. His gallant action exemplifies the finest traditions of the American combat soldier.