Matthew K. Anderson
Matthew Keith Anderson was born 16-APR 1972 in Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa. His parents are Harry Keith Anderson (1945-2011) and Joyce Evans. He had two brothers.
Matt graduated from Chariton High School in 1990. While in high school, he was in Speech and was on the yearbook and newspaper staff. Matt wrote columns which appeared on the school page of the local newspaper. He was an avid reader. Matt’s favorite author was Tom Clancy, but he also liked science fiction and books on the military. His most read military subject was the Vietnam War. Matt decided to go to college, but the military was always on his mind.
Matt attended Iowa State University and majored in Electrical Engineering. While there, he belonged to a climbing club and in his second year, joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity. On spring break, he would go to Hueco Tanks Park in Texas to climb and rappel cliffs. Matt had no fear of heights and sought adventure to write about. His greatest love was writing. Matt had plans to go back to school when out of the Army and become a writer.
Two weeks before Matt’s second year of college was over, he left school, joined the Army and went to Ft. Benning, GA for basic training. In October 1992, Matt went to the 101st Aviation Brigade at Ft. Campbell, KY. There he trained as a door gunner on a helicopter. On 17-Aug 1993, Matt arrived in Somalia.
Matthew Anderson was killed in action 25-SEP 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Somali gunmen brought down PFC Matthew K. Anderson’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a night reconnaissance mission. Troops were in Somalia aiding in a humanitarian effort to feed a starving nation. He was 21 years and 5 months old.
A memorial service was held 9-Oct 1993 at the Fielding Funeral Home with Rev. Pearl Sams officiating. Military services were presented by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky with a tribute given by Lt. Col. Randall Cochran. Honorary pall bearers were Jon Hawk, Chad Gwinn, Jason Evans, Todd Atwell, Keith Goodrich, Jason Anderson, Mike Thompson, Scott Atwell and Cecil Pruitt, Jr.
Matthew Keith Anderson earned the following medal and commendations:
- Air Medal with V device
- Purple Heart
- United Nations Dag Hammarskjold Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
The citation for the for heroism in aerial flight stated that Matt “served as a door gunner for numerous highly dangerous missions in Mogadishu without reservation and with great distinction.”
The soldiers who died in Somalia are remembered on a monument at Arlington National Cemetery, and the names of Matthew and his fellow door gunner are on a monument at Fort Campbell. The citizens of Matt’s home town of Lucas have also built a memorial and raised a flagpole in his honor.
For more of the story, click on the pdf below.
