The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Collie M. Mattfeld (ASN: RA-12325382), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 29 May 1951, in the vicinity of Hyon-ni, Korea. Corporal Mattfeld was leading his squad in front of a tank column to clear the road of mines when they were subjected to heavy small arms and machine gun fire from both sides of the road. Realizing the tanks could not move until the road was cleared, Corporal Mattfeld daringly moved forward well beyond the foremost tank element, searching for and removing mines until he fell seriously wounded. His courageous action enabled the tanks to proceed and overrun the enemy positions. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Mattfeld reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.