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 Sergeant Matthew T. Keefe, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Detachment Junior Engineer Sergeant for Operational Detachment Alpha 323 (ODA-323), 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), Task Force 31, CJSOTF-A, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 25 July 2005, in in the Syahcow, Oruzgan Providence, Afghanistan. Sergeant Keefe acted as the MK-47 gunner for his Ground Mobility Vehicle as it drove into and through intense and accurate small arms and heavy weapons fire. Although wounded by rifle fire, he unflinchingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, continued to man the exposed crew-served weapon in order to provide covering fire so other team members could retrieve injured United States and coalition casualties. Sergeant Keefe’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Task Force-76, and the United States Army.