Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant Colonel

Awarded on:

March 20th, 1943

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, during the period from 19 December to 27 December 1943, on Guadalcanal, while serving as Liaison Officer (G-3), II Island Command. Lieutenant Colonel Matheson volunteered to lead a patrol consisting of one other officer and four native scouts on a hazardous reconnaissance mission over a difficult mountain range. The patrol succeeded in locating several trails, each of which was scouted in order to select the best route over the mountains. While en route the patrol passed through and in the rear of the enemy lines, locating, among other things, the positions of some one thousand of the enemy. The area in which the enemy were located could not be reached by artillery or naval gun fire and was concealed from air observation. Consequently the position of this heavy concentration of enemy troops would not have been located had it not been for the efforts of this patrol. This, and much other valuable information obtained by the patrol, after traveling a distance of over ninety miles, were used later and aided greatly in the success of operations in the area."

Headquarters: South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 67