The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Medical Corps) Matthew T. Howard, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Howard distinguished himself while serving as a battalion surgeon with Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On the morning of 26 March 1969, Fire Support Base 20 was subjected to an intense artillery attack in which the majority of rounds hit inside the perimeter with pinpoint accuracy. One round made a direct hit on an artillery battery, completely destroying the gun pit. Upon hearing the call for medics, Captain Howard unhesitatingly rushed from his aid station into the battery area. With rounds bursting all around him, he suffered a painful leg wound but continued to run. Undaunted by his injury, Captain Howard began treating the wounded men. Two men were too severely wounded to be moved and when incoming rounds came too close to them, Captain Howard covered them with his own body. He treated all the wounded before he would accept medical treatment himself. Captain Howard’s exceptional courage, professional skill, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.