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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Sgt. Daniel Paul Matthews, US Marines
Marine Sergeant Daniel Paul Matthews, 21, of Van Nuys, California, was posthumously awarded the Nations highest decoration for his single-handed attack on an enemy machine gun nest which had prevented the evacuation of a wounded comrade. He was the 41st Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea.
The young squad leader was killed at Vegas Hill on 28 March 1953, while fighting with Company F, of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, in the action which brought him that decoration. Assaulting an enemy outpost which had driven off six earlier attacks, he and his men were pinned down by a machine gun at the peak of the enemy position. Seeing that the guns murderous fire prevented the evacuation of a wounded comrade, he worked his way toward the base of the enemy emplacement, and armed only with a rifle, leaped onto the rocks around the enemy nest. Although he took the enemy by surprise with his single-handed attack, he was wounded mortally when the gun was turned on him. Notwithstanding his wounds, he killed two of the crew, drove a third to cover and completely silenced the weapon before he himself died.
The medal was presented to the sergeants parents, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Matthews, of Saugus, California, on 29 March 1954, by Secretary of the Navy Robert B. Anderson. The Pentagon ceremony also included presentation of posthumous Medals of Honor to the families of Sergeant James E. Johnson and Corporal Lee H. Phillips.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Sergeant Matthews was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his fatal wounds. His other medals and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star and the United Nations Service Medal.
Sergeant Matthews and his twin brother, Dave, were born at Van Nuys on 31 December 1931. Daniel was a member of the high school track and football teams before he left school in 1948 to work as a concrete-mixer operator for C.W. Organ, a Los Angeles contractor. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 21 February 1951, and after completing boot training at San Diego that April, was promoted to private first class and assigned to Camp Pendleton. While serving there with the 6th Infantry Training Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, he was promoted to corporal in March 1952, and to sergeant in July 1952.
He sailed for Korea in January 1953, joining Company F, of the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, the following month. After his death, his body was escorted to the United States in May 1953, by his brother, Dave, who had enlisted in the Navy when Daniel joined the Marines. The sergeant was buried at Glen Haven Cemetery, San Fernando, California.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Vegas Hill, Korea, 28 March 1953. Entered service at. Van Nuys, Calif. Born: 31 December 1931, Van Nuys, Calif. Award presented: 29 March 1954. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader of Company F, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Participating in a counterattack against a firmly entrenched and well-concealed hostile force which had repelled 6 previous assaults on a vital enemy-held outpost far forward of the main line of resistance Sgt. Matthews fearlessly advanced in the attack until his squad was pinned down by a murderous sweep of fire from an enemy machine gun located on the peak of the outpost. Observing that the deadly fire prevented a corpsman from removing a wounded man lying in an open area fully exposed to the brunt of the devastating gunfire, he worked his way to the base of the hostile machine gun emplacement, leaped onto the rock fortification surrounding the gun and, taking the enemy by complete surprise, single-handedly charged the hostile emplacement with his rifle. Although severely wounded when the enemy brought a withering hail of fire to bear upon him, he gallantly continued his valiant l-man assault and, firing his rifle with deadly effectiveness, succeeded in killing 2 of the enemy, routing a third, and completely silencing the enemy weapon, thereby enabling his comrades to evacuate the stricken marine to a safe position. Succumbing to his wounds before aid could reach him, Sgt. Matthews, by his indomitable fighting spirit, courageous initiative, and resolute determination in the face of almost certain death, served to inspire all who observed him and was directly instrumental in saving the life of his wounded comrade. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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