The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Coast Artillery Corps) Stephen Andrew Matejov, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Battery A, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 7th Infantry Division, in action near Sogu-ri, Korea, on 17 November 1950. On this date, the platoon which Lieutenant Matejov commanded was providing close support for the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. He led a section of his platoon at the head of a column which was advancing north against the enemy. At about 0950 hours, the point was fired upon from positions on both sides of the road. This intense fire came from automatic weapons and small arms. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Matejov immediately left the relative security of his M-19 and proceeded under heavy fire to a forward position from which he was better able to spot the sources of the enemy fire. He remained in his exposed position for a period of one and a half hours spotting enemy targets and placing his 40-mm. and .50 caliber fire thereon. His coolness and heroism under fire enabled his platoon to mass its fires on numerous enemy targets, and the destruction thereof allowed the column to continue its northward attack with dispatch. First Lieutenant Matejov’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.