(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Staff Sergeant Matthew T. Matlock, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action on 20 June 2008, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. On that date, Sergeant Matlock was showing some replacement troops the lay of the land in the Paktika province of Afghanistan when their small convoy was surprised by enemy small- arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. A grenade struck the vehicle Sergeant Matlock was in, wounding three soldiers. Under fire and with shrapnel wounds himself, Sergeant Matlock evacuated the injured soldiers and gave them first aid. He fired back and directed his squad to return fire. He then used his body to shield other soldiers, receiving additional shrapnel wounds before the fighting ceased. His gallant actions and dedicated 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.