Gordon Bruce Matthews

Gordon Bruce Matthews was the son of a Reverend which caused the family to move around a lot, he graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1950 and later went on to attend Drake University. He joined the Marine Corps in the mid-1950s and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. He deployed to South Vietnam in May 1967 with Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines in the 1st Marine Division as an infantry officer. Before being sent to Southeast Asia he was married and had a child. His unit was involved in the Battle of Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive. 1LT Matthews was killed on February 6, 1968 due to gunshot wound sustained by the enemy. During his final moments he led a frontal assault against a fortified enemy position, for his actions he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. The 36-year-old Iowan was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.