The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William J. Mathews (MCSN: 515883), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 17 May 1945. When his platoon sustained severe casualties from intense hostile machine-gun and small-arms fire during an attack on a heavily-fortified enemy ridge, Corporal Mathews went forward of the lines and evacuated three Marines from the side of the ridge to a covered position. Returning to his squad, he led them in an assault on the ridge and personally killed nine of the Japanese with grenades and rifle fire. By his daring initiative and courageous devotion to duty, Corporal Mathews contributed materially to the successful completion of his platoon’s mission, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.