The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class James L. Matthews (ASN: 35205633), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 3 March 1945, in Stiring Wendel, France. The advance of Private First Class Mathews’ platoon was held up by machine gun fire. Observing the location of the enemy, he crawled to within a few yards of the emplacement and fired a rifle grenade directly into the position, killing or wounding its occupants. Private First Class Matthews’ courageous action eliminated the enemy gun position and enabled his platoon to advance to its objective.