SFC Charles R. Matthess
US Army (Ret)
Visitors:
Charles "Chuck" Matthess served his nation and his family as best as was humanly possible. He never spoke about his accomplishments so I am sharing them for him now. I will always remember him because of his humor and his ready smile, the way he loved children and John Wayne movies. The United States we live in now is is a better place because of him and people like him. To me he will always be a shining example of the way so many serve, and suffer, so that we Americans can be free. I pray that his wife and children can find some solace at this time and know that he will be remembered.
Charles Matthess died of cancer on March 14, 2002 in Columbus, Georgia.
- Bronze Star
Korea
The 2nd Division, 23rd Rifle Company had sustained serious casualties. The original compliment of 200 had been reduced to 27. During heavy assault by North Korean and Chinese army troops, battle had deteriorated to hand-to-hand conditions. Sgt. Matthess, as surviving NCO took command and lead a counter-assault then effected sufficient defenses that forced the hostile forces from the position. Sgt.Matthess was responsible for saving his own life and the lives of his comrades.
- Bronze Star with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
Republic of Viet Nam
While on a combat patrol the unit to which SFC Matthess was attached was ambushed by two North Vietnamese companies. The unit was in imminent danger of being overrun. The other officers and senior NCOs were killed. While receiving hostile fire Sgt. Matthess rallied the surviving troops and organized an effective defense until support units arrived.
- Combat Medical Badge
On 30 June, 1967, while on a Search and Sweep mission in Bin Hoa Province the 889th Rifle company received small arms and machine gun fire. One soldier was badly wounded and had fell in an open area. SFC Matthess attended the wounded soldier. Finding him too badly wounded to effect transportation, Sgt. Matthess treated his wounds then under fire carried his comrade to a safer location and was able to obtain air medical evacuation.
- Meritorious Service Award
During his two terms of duty in the Republic of Viet Nam, SFC Matthess installed a training center for local nurses in various villages. He taught courses in vector control and sanitation. He implemented an emergency medical cadre. Delivered innoculations and medicines to the cadre and innoculated an estimated 100,000 South Vietnamese children.