The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Warrant Officer Four Matthew L. Brown, United States Army, for gallantry in action during combat operations against an armed enemy on 14 May 2006, while serving as an AH-6 Pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) on 14 May 2006, while operating against an entrenched enemy force during a daylight raid in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Chief Warrant Officer Five Brown continued to make successive assaults in support of the ground forces, without regard for his own personal safety. His actions destroyed several enemy positions, enabling the ground forces to consolidate into defensive positions. Without Chief Warrant Officer Four Brown’s courage and gallantry under hostile fire, the ground forces would have sustained significant casualties. He directly contributed to the successful execution of this direct action mission. Chief Warrant Officer Four Brown’s distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.