The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade [then Private First Class] Matt Allen (ASN: 35460934), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 2 September 1944 in France. During an attack near Montsec, France, when his platoon was pinned down by intense enemy small arms fire, Technician Fifth Grade Allen, an automatic rifle man, although himself wounded, eliminated one enemy machine gun nest and a vehicle which mounted a large caliber gun and refused medical attention until he had assisted in evacuating a wounded comrade. Technician Fifth Grade Allen’s outstanding courage, gallantry, and supreme devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.