Star of Courage

• Awarded on: September 16, 2004
• Invested on: February 04, 2005

Master-Corporal Jason Cory Hamilton, S.C.
Corporal Danny Joseph Matthews, S.C.
Star of Courage

On October 2, 2003, after their convoy's lead vehicle had struck an anti-tank mine, MCpl Jason Hamilton and Cpl Danny Matthews entered an undefined minefield to recover three of their stricken comrades, near Kabul, Afghanistan. Despite the imminent danger of exploding ammunition and grenades complicating an already chaotic scene, MCpl Hamilton courageously led the rescue party, prodding the ground in front of him for more mines. He and Cpl Matthews worked their way onto the dangerous terrain until they reached the first fallen soldier. After escorting the wounded victim back to safety to administer first aid, Cpl Matthews then returned and followed MCpl Hamilton, advancing farther into the minefield only to discover that the mine blast had claimed the lives of the two other soldiers.