The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Jack Dennis Mathis (MCSN: 2013119), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Patrol Leader with Company C, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving with a nine-man reconnaissance patrol deep into enemy controlled territory on 22 and 23 May 1966, Sergeant Mathis displayed exceptional qualities of leadership, determination and military skill. When several large groups of the enemy were sighted on the afternoon of the first day, he was instrumental in calling in artillery missions which resulted in heavy Viet Cong losses. Shortly after a suitable base had been established for the night, Sergeant Mathis’ men engaged six to eight Viet Cong who attempted to penetrate their position. From that time, shortly after midnight, until the patrol was extracted late on the next morning, Sergeant Mathis and his men were in constant contact with a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Through his aggressiveness and inspiring leadership, his men repulsed enemy attempts to penetrate the patrol base on nine separate occasions. His exceptional composure and precise guidance throughout the ordeal served to motivate his men to withstand the repeated attacks in a spirit of confidence and determination. When the patrol was eventually extracted by helicopter without sustaining casualties, aerial observation revealed that the patrol’s tenuous position was surrounded by the enemy. Sergeant Mathis’ resolute and valiant effort was largely responsible for preventing the death or capture of himself and the Marines for whom he was responsible. By his extraordinary leadership, military proficiency and unwavering dedication to duty throughout, Sergeant Mathis upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.