The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Specialist Matthew A. Sovine, United States Army, for heroic achievement while serving as a Platoon Medic for Battle Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment. Specialist Sovine distinguished himself through valorous conduct and exceptionally meritorious action during a direct fire engagement on 1 March 2012 on COP SANGSAR, Zharay District, Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM XI/XII. On or about 1 March 2012 at 0300 hours, Combat Outpost (COP) SANGSAR was attacked by an enemy element from within the wall of COS SANGSAR. Specialist Sovine, sleeping in his living tent, was awakened to sustained small arms fire and rocket propelled grenade explosions impacting in close proximity to his tent. He immediately grabbed his weapon and made his way to the aid station wearing only physical fitness shorts, T-shirt, and combat boots, in order to assist with medical treatment of possible casualties. While maneuvering to the aid station, he came under heavy fire from the northwest tower of the COP. At the aid station, Specialist Sovine was joined by another Medic and began to maneuver toward the COP’s entry control point (ECP) where he correctly assumed there would be casualties. In spite of limited ammunition and protection, Specialist Sovine was able to reach the southern side of the ECP where he found two Soldiers with severe gunshot wounds. One of the Soldiers was already being treated, but the second was lying exposed, his condition quickly worsening. Specialist Sovine, while still under heavy fire, suppressed the enemy and maneuvered a small element to secure the casualty and physically move him behind cover for further medical treatment. He quickly realized that both casualties needed to be brought to the aid station due to the severity of their wounds. Specialist Sovine again exposed himself from the protection afforded him by the barriers around the hasty casualty collection point (CCP) and ran to the aid station, securing two litters. Returning to the CCP through the withering enemy fire, Specialist Sovine loaded the casualties onto the litters and prepared them for movement. Specialist Sovine provided suppressive fires on the enemy in the northwest guard tower while the rest of his element moved the casualties to the aid station. With both wounded Soldiers in the aid station, Specialist Sovine began to work feverishly to save the life of the most severely wounded Soldier, applying all of his medical knowledge and the assets available to him to try to stabilize the Soldier. The Soldier, however, eventually succumbed to his injuries. Realizing he was no longer needed in the aid station, Specialist Sovine rejoined the fight to eliminate the enemy threat. He provided suppressive fire on the tower until the enemy was neutralized and quickly began working to extinguish the fire that was at the COP’s fuel point. Specialist Sovine’s heroic actions and selfless devotion to his fellow soldiers is truly admirable and reflects great credit upon himself, fellow combat medics, and Battle Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment.