MILITARY:
United States Army
Staff Sergant
July 29, 1967 - Started Tour
CAUSE OF DEATH:
James served with E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment beginning his tour on July 29, 1967. On May 10, 1968, E troop and most of 2nd Squadron were working out of our Regimental basecamp, east of Saigon when James' ACAV, E35, hit a mine just south of the basecamp. The ACAV hit the mine just off the road and landed upside down on James killing him instantly. The other crew members were pretty badly shaken up, but not too seriously hurt.
POSTHUMOUS AWARDS:
April 18, 1968
Army Commendation Medal For Heroism
For distinguishing himself in connection with military operations against a hostile force on January 6, 1968, while serving as a point man.
Bronze Star
For meritorious service for 29 July 1967 to 10 May 1968
VIRTUAL WALL LINK:
His memorial page can be viewed at
http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MatthewsJL01a.htm
SOURCES:
http://www.vetfriends.com/memorial/honoree.cfm?hindex=54344&user_ID=
5-20-1968 - Chicago Tribune
James Leonard Matthews Obituary
United States Army
Staff Sergant
July 29, 1967 - Started Tour
CAUSE OF DEATH:
James served with E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment beginning his tour on July 29, 1967. On May 10, 1968, E troop and most of 2nd Squadron were working out of our Regimental basecamp, east of Saigon when James' ACAV, E35, hit a mine just south of the basecamp. The ACAV hit the mine just off the road and landed upside down on James killing him instantly. The other crew members were pretty badly shaken up, but not too seriously hurt.
POSTHUMOUS AWARDS:
April 18, 1968
Army Commendation Medal For Heroism
For distinguishing himself in connection with military operations against a hostile force on January 6, 1968, while serving as a point man.
Bronze Star
For meritorious service for 29 July 1967 to 10 May 1968
VIRTUAL WALL LINK:
His memorial page can be viewed at
http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MatthewsJL01a.htm
SOURCES:
http://www.vetfriends.com/memorial/honoree.cfm?hindex=54344&user_ID=
5-20-1968 - Chicago Tribune
James Leonard Matthews Obituary
MILITARY:
United States Army
Staff Sergant
July 29, 1967 - Started Tour
CAUSE OF DEATH:
James served with E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment beginning his tour on July 29, 1967. On May 10, 1968, E troop and most of 2nd Squadron were working out of our Regimental basecamp, east of Saigon when James' ACAV, E35, hit a mine just south of the basecamp. The ACAV hit the mine just off the road and landed upside down on James killing him instantly. The other crew members were pretty badly shaken up, but not too seriously hurt.
POSTHUMOUS AWARDS:
April 18, 1968
Army Commendation Medal For Heroism
For distinguishing himself in connection with military operations against a hostile force on January 6, 1968, while serving as a point man.
Bronze Star
For meritorious service for 29 July 1967 to 10 May 1968
VIRTUAL WALL LINK:
His memorial page can be viewed at
http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MatthewsJL01a.htm
SOURCES:
http://www.vetfriends.com/memorial/honoree.cfm?hindex=54344&user_ID=
5-20-1968 - Chicago Tribune
James Leonard Matthews Obituary
United States Army
Staff Sergant
July 29, 1967 - Started Tour
CAUSE OF DEATH:
James served with E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment beginning his tour on July 29, 1967. On May 10, 1968, E troop and most of 2nd Squadron were working out of our Regimental basecamp, east of Saigon when James' ACAV, E35, hit a mine just south of the basecamp. The ACAV hit the mine just off the road and landed upside down on James killing him instantly. The other crew members were pretty badly shaken up, but not too seriously hurt.
POSTHUMOUS AWARDS:
April 18, 1968
Army Commendation Medal For Heroism
For distinguishing himself in connection with military operations against a hostile force on January 6, 1968, while serving as a point man.
Bronze Star
For meritorious service for 29 July 1967 to 10 May 1968
VIRTUAL WALL LINK:
His memorial page can be viewed at
http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MatthewsJL01a.htm
SOURCES:
http://www.vetfriends.com/memorial/honoree.cfm?hindex=54344&user_ID=
5-20-1968 - Chicago Tribune
James Leonard Matthews Obituary
Inscription
JAMES L MATTHEWS
ILLINOIS
S SGT TRP E 2 SQ 11 ARMD CAV
VIETNAM BSM PH
OCT 6 1944 MAY 10 1968
