The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Matthew J. Reese (MCSN: 939548), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 15 May 1945. Assigned the mission of protecting the extreme right flank of his company during the defense of Sugar Loaf Hill, Private Reese remained steadfast at his position, although he was subjected to intense enemy fire from automatic weapons and mortars and his company was suffering numerous casualties. When he sustained serious wounds, he refused evacuation and, realizing the attendant danger of a corpsman attempting to reach him, would not allow one to be called. Throughout the night he brought accurate automatic fire to bear on the enemy and, not until the last casualty had been removed and his unit had been ordered to withdraw, did he relinquish his position. By his steadfastness, courage and aggressive spirit, Private Reese aided materially in disrupting a strong Japanese counterattack and in the subsequent seizure of one of the most important terrain features of the island. His conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.