Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate Second Class

Unit:

1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Raiders, U.S. Marine Corps

Awarded on:

March 1943

"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Company Corpsman with the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 - 14 September 1942. When his company was almost completely surrounded by the Japanese and under attack from all directions, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Mathis, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, constantly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for and evacuate the wounded. As a result of his dauntless courage and outstanding devotion to duty, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Mathis undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the injured who otherwise might have perished. His courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 312