The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Donald Roy Matheson (ASN: 0-21213), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 7 April 1945, in the vicinity of Krautheim, Germany. The companies of the Third Battalion were to make an amphibious crossing of the Jagst River and attack enemy positions on the high ground beyond it. The attack required moving over open ground for 150 yards, crossing the river in assault boats, and then passing over 250 yards of flat terrain directly in front of the enemy positions. The entire area was under enemy observation and was subject to intense machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire. When the assault was made, Colonel Matheson, the battalion commander, accompanied the leading elements and took personal command of the troops. He carried heavy load of ammunition so that the troops would have an extra supply when they had crossed the river. Casualties occurred on all sides of him during the attack. On one occasion he carried a wounded man 50 yards through enemy fire to a defiladed position. During the entire action, Colonel Matheson was with the forward elements, urging them by his leadership and aggressiveness to move forward against the heavy enemy resistance. Colonel Matheson’s outstanding courage and devotion to duty under fire reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.