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Cpl. Carl Sampson CW3 Michael Wells LCpl. Justin McLeese Sgt. Jeffrey Lynn Kirk
First Lt. Jeffrey Adams Cpl. Matthew Cole Spc. Russell Kyle Burleson Spc. Christopher Vining
Sgt. Christopher Ramsey Sfc. Michael McNaughton Sgt. John Aaron Blanchard LCpl. Ryan McCurdy
Sgt. Sammy Anderson Sgt. Jonathan Reed Lt. Christopher Barnett Pfc. David Burridge
Cpl. David Bear Stewart Sfc. Kurt Comeaux Spc. Matthew King Cpl. Michael Savoie
Cpl. Jacob Schick LCpl. Hardy Mills IV
Spc. Matthew James King of Abita Springs, LA served in the Army Active, C company, 2nd Battalion, 503 infantry of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was based in Vicenza, Italy. On May 3, 2005 while deployed to the Argenedab River Valley, Afghanistan, Spc King, assistant gunner and team leader of 1st Platoon weapons squad, was called to assist scouts and special forces that were under heavy attack and needed immediate assistance. The platoon was outnumbered 3 ACM (anti-coalition militants) to 1. While under fire from 3 different locations, Spc King ordered his machine team to move toward the enemy fortified position. The ACM fired upon King’s gun team in an attempt to destroy the platoon's heaviest weapon. Spc King was hit by a RPG round in the left upper thigh. He was moved to a covered position while fighting continued. He rendered self aid and refused to be carried out so that each soldier could stay in the fight. He walked under his own power 700 meters, through several contact locations to the extraction site. All members of the gun team survived with injuries and successfully neutralized the enemy. King was air lifted to Kandahar Air Field and received emergency surgery. After he was stabilized, he was lifted to Landstuhl Air Force base, Germany and received immediate surgery. After 9 days in Landstuhl, he was transferred to Brooke Army Medical for successive surgeries and long term care. Spc. King suffered massive tissue, muscle and tendon loss of left leg and femeral artery tear. He has limited movement of his left leg and extensive scarring.
As of October 2006, he is still at Brooke Army Medical Hospital located in San Antonio, Texas. He has been there since May 15, 2005 receiving medical care. He has undergone 21
surgeries including skin grafts, irrigations, debreedments, reconstruction and other surgical procedures due to infection and bacteria. His recovery is progressing. Matthew King graduated from Saint Paul’s School in 2003. He was in the ROTC for 4 years. He joined the Army as soon as he turned 18 years old. He said it was his calling. He plans to go to college when he completes his military term of service or is medically discharged.
Spc. King is the recipient of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, and The Army Commendations Medal with Valor. Support Our War Heroes thanks you for your service to our country and the courageous sacrifices you have made.