The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Howard E. Matthias (MCSN: 0-54794), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company D, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 August 1952. When a reinforced squad was ambushed and pinned down during an encounter with a numerically superior hostile force, Second Lieutenant Matthias unhesitatingly led a squad from his platoon to evacuate the wounded and to assist in repelling the enemy. After directing the removal of the casualties, he skillfully deployed his men to cover the withdrawal of the ambushed squad to the outpost line of resistance and succeeded in maneuvering his own unit back to safety. During the afternoon of the same day, although he and his men were exhausted from the previous intense action, Second Lieutenant Matthias again directed his group in assisting elements of a friendly assaulting force which were pinned down and unable to withdraw after suffering heavy casualties. Expertly positioning his unit to draw the enemy’s attention while casualties were being evacuated, he continually participated in every phase of the engagement and, on one occasion, grappled with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. By his valiant fighting spirit, outstanding leadership and indomitable devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Matthias served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.