The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Marvin H. Mathews (ASN: 35793766), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 775th Tank Battalion, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on or about 21 June 1945. Sergeant Mathews’ tank was part of an armored column spearheading the advance up the Cagayan Valley, when three large enemy guns fired on our column at the river near Balasig. Sergeant Mathews immediately placed fire on one of the Japanese weapons and destroyed it. Then he observed two quarter ton vehicles in the middle of the river which had been halted by enemy machine gun fire and were drowned out. He moved his tank into the river and upon reaching the vehicles found that the three occupants were dazed and wounded by the enemy fire. Despite the continual hostile machine gun fire and shell fire, Sergeant Mathews jumped into the waist deep water, hooked both vehicles to his tank, directed the three men to the safe side of his tank, and then towed the two vehicles to safety. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.