The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Staff Sergeant Mervin K. Matchett, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 349th Infantry Regiment, in action near Cubiola, Italy, on 4 October 1944. His company, assigned the mission of securing Hill 587, was attacking deeply entrenched enemy positions when his platoon leader was seriously wounded and evacuated. Immediately assuming command, Lieutenant Matchett led the platoon in a successful attack against one of the intermediate ridges. As the friendly elements moved forward toward the objective, enemy resistance stiffened. Lieutenant Matchett’s troops came under intense enemy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire from two parallel hostile positions and were thrown back and became pinned down by vicious hostile cross-fire. Crawling forward, Lieutenant Matchett located the position of two machine guns and a mortar. Returning to his unit, he assembled all automatic rifles available and, taking each in turn, made separate, one-man assaults against the enemy emplacements, silencing the two machine gun positions and killing at least six enemy. He was severely wounded by shrapnel while firing his last weapon, but his courageous and aggressive action permitted the wounded to be evacuated and reinforcements to advance to ease the perilous situation. Lieutenant Matchett’s singular bravery, staunch devotion to the mission, and outstanding leadership reflect great credit on himself, the Infantry and the United States Army.