The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Master Sergeant James Matteo (ASN: ER-11208629), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Matteo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, Korea, on the morning of 31 August 1951. On that morning the entire company was engaged in an attack against a heavily fortified enemy-held hill. As the friendly troops advanced, they were subjected to an intense hail of hostile fire pouring down from numerous automatic weapons emplacements. The attackers, hampered by extremely poor visibility caused by a thick fog, continued to move forward with dogged determination but, with half the assaulting force rendered casualties in the first few minutes, the friendly troops were eventually forced to seek what cover they could find on the bare slope. Without hesitation, Sergeant Matteo moved across the fire-swept terrain and supervised the evacuation of casualties. After assuring himself that his wounded comrades were safe, he advanced toward the enemy positions in order to make a reconnaissance of their strength and disposition. Although constantly under heavy enemy fire, he returned with the necessary information and volunteered to lead a fresh assault. Following Sergeant Matteo toward the objective, the friendly troops were pinned down once again by automatic weapons fire from a key hostile emplacement. Without regard for his personal safety, Sergeant Matteo single-handedly charged the position and destroyed the enemy weapon and its crew with grenades. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Matteo on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.