The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Emery J. Mate (ASN: 35015028), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 28 July 1943. While a member of a volunteer patrol, which was ambushed and forced to cover after one man had been wounded, Private Mate’s conduct was conspicuously valorous. The enemy, their lines obscured by dense jungle undergrowth, had good observation of the party and made its position untenable with a volley of hand grenades. When the order to withdraw came, Private Mate did not heed it, choosing instead to divert hostile fire by throwing grenades at close range. His patrol leader called to him to retreat but Private Mate, seeing an opportunity to wipe out the machine gun, continued to advance and drew the full volume of enemy fire, loosing his life in a vain attempt to destroy the emplacement. His bold, voluntary performance undoubtedly saved his unit form further casualties, and his gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.