The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Vincent M. Mathews (MCSN: 2207094), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Anti-Tank Assault Section Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 27 October 1967, Company B was conducting a search and destroy operation west of Camp Evans in Thua Thien Province when the Marines suddenly received a heavy volume of small arms fire from a well camouflaged force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. In the initial moments of the fire fight, the company sustained several casualties and was pinned down. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Lance Corporal Mathews unhesitatingly ran forward, ignoring the enemy rounds impacting around him, and accurately fired his light anti-tank assault weapons into the enemy positions. Observing an enemy machine gun that had pinned down several of his comrades, he fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and fired another anti-tank round into the bunker, killing the enemy soldiers and destroying the emplacement. Having expended his supply of ammunition, Lance Corporal Mathews returned to his unit’s position, obtained additional light anti-tank assault weapons from his wounded comrades and repeatedly ran forward to deliver accurate suppressive fire upon the hostile forces. On one occasion, he was attacked by a group of enemy soldiers. Steadfastly maintaining his position, he calmly fired his weapon, killing one enemy soldier and forcing the others to flee. When his company began to withdraw to a more defensible position, Lance Corporal Mathews, fearlessly exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, seized a machine gun and skillfully utilized it to cover the movement, delivering accurate protective fire. As a result, his unit was able to expeditiously accomplish the withdrawal and consolidate its position. His heroic and timely actions in the face of great personal danger were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Mathews upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.