The Apache Helicopter he was flying in crashed during a reconnaissance mission.
Matthew was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard - Company B - 1-104th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, based at Fort Indiantown Gap.
He had deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2012.
Matthew grew up in eastern Ohio and outside Pittsburgh.
Matthew was a 1997 graduate of London High School in London, Ohio. He graduated in 2003 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s in criminology. He was most recently employed as a full-time Apache instructor pilot for the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility at Fort Indiantown Gap.
He joined the military in 1997, serving initially as a mechanic in the Army Reserve’s 705th Transportation Company in Dayton, Ohio, before transferring to the Army National Guard’s 110th Infantry in Indiana, Pa. Matthew completed warrant officer training and transferred to the aviation career field in 2005 serving as an aviation life support equipment officer, tactical operations officer and instructor pilot.
His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, three Army
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| Emil Kapaun, on your way to Sainthood, pray for Matt |
Loved ones stated that Matt wanted to go to Afghanistan to help people. He wanted his flying students to succeed. They describe him as strong and kind. He is their hero who will be forever missed.
Military colleagues describe Matthew as one of the best. He was a big brother to others. He was the most dedicated Apache Helicopter pilot in the program.
Friends describe Matt as a man of honour and integrity who was well loved by others.
Matthew is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his parents; his brother, Jeff; and his girlfriend, Jackeline.
Pray for all who die in the line of duty.
Thank you for serving, Matt.
Let us pray that Matthew is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.
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