The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Field Artillery) Myrel O. Matthews (ASN: 0-360319), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Battery, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 31 August and 1 September 1950 near Yongsan, Korea. On the night of 31 August 1950 the enemy, attacking in overwhelming numbers, broke through the infantry lines and penetrated to the artillery positions. Major Matthews, with total disregard for his personal safety, made numerous trips to the infantry positions, replaced dead and wounded forward observers, and re-established communications while under intense small arms, mortar and artillery fire. On 1 September 1950, he voluntarily went forward to a group of infantrymen, after fighting his way through infiltrating groups of enemy, and proceeded to act as a forward observer. When the enemy assaulted the position and threatened to overrun it by sheer weight of numbers, Major Matthews covered the withdrawal of the group by bringing in a devastating artillery barrage which inflicted scores of casualties upon the enemy. He then withdrew through heavy small arms fire and rejoined the infantrymen at the next position. The gallantry displayed by Major Matthews reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.