Graduated Naval Academy May 1998 and assigned to aviation. Got his wings March 2001 and went to Lemoore, California to an F-18 Super Hornet squadron. During a training exercise preparing to go to Iraq his plane and another F-18 collided midair in California. Two aviators in each plane were lost in the ocean never recovering any of the 4 pilots or either plane.

Never knew anyone who enjoyed life more than Matt. Set extremely high goals for himself and never gave up or quit anything. He had just got married and was determined to be a great husband.

Matt was a kind and gentle person always thinking of others before himself. So many attributes but was so humble. You would never forget him aft¬er you met him.