The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private] Robert I. Mater (ASN: 33921169), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 8 October 1944, in Germany. Serving as a Rifleman with an Infantry Battalion engaged in action with the enemy, the company to which Staff Sergeant Matter was assigned was pinned to the ground by fire from an enemy machine gun nest. With a single companion, Staff Sergeant Matter crawled over partially open terrain more than one hundred yards to a position within hand grenade range of the enemy gun. By the use of their hand grenades Staff Sergeant Matter and his companion wounded some of the enemy and caused the others to quickly surrender. As a result, the company was allowed to aggressively continue the assault. The daring, personal courage, and outstanding devotion to duty manifested by Staff Sergeant Matter reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.