Matthew John West – Staff Sergeant, United States Army

U.S. Department of Defense

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 791-10
September 01, 2010

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died August 30, 2010, in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  All were based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Killed were:

Captain Dale A Goetz, 43, of White, South Dakota.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Staff Sergeant Jesse Infante, 30, of Cypress, Texas.  He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Staff Sergeant Kevin J. Kessler, 32, of Canton, Ohio.  He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Staff Sergeant Matthew J. West, 36, of Conover, Wisconsin.  He was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group.

Private First Class Chad D. Clements, 26, of Huntington, Indiana.  He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

For more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at 719-526-7525; after hours 719-526-5500.


Staff Serggeant Matthew J. West, 36, of Conover, Wisconsin, died August 30, 2010, in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Staff Sergeant West was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, Fort Carson, Colorado


Staff Sergeant Matthew J. West

71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group
Fort Carson, Colorado
Died: August 30, 2010 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan

mjwest-photo-01

Staff Sergeant Matthew J. West of Conover, Wisconsin grew up in Michigan and graduated in 1992 from Gaylord High School. He joined the Army in June of 2004 and had been in Afghanistan since July 2010, but was there previously from March through September in 2006.

Matt was previously in Iraq and joined the unit in January 2010.

His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal – 2, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal – 2, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal – 2, Iraq Campaign Medal – w/Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon – 2, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

He leaves behind his wife, Carolyn and three children. He died at age 36 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.


GAYLORD, Michigan — Memorial and funeral services for U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew J. West will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

West, 36, formerly of Gaylord, died August 30, 2010, in a bomb explosion in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan, along with four other soldiers all based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He served with the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group.

West is survived by his wife, Carolyn, their three young children and a large extended family, including many who live in Michigan.

A memorial service will be September 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, Virginia. A military funeral will take place the following day at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.

Cards for West's family can be sent to P.O. Box 4087, Gaylord, Michigan 49734

WEST, MATTHEW JOHN

  • SSG   US ARMY
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 05/20/1974
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/30/2010
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 9285
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

mjwest-gravesite-photo-by-eileen-horan-december-2010-002 mjwest-gravesite-photo-by-eileen-horan-december-2010-003

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