Godspeed Lance Corporal John Mattek

Posted By Blackfive

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on." - Julie Ward Howe, the last verse of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

Thanks to Ron F. for sending an email about Lance Corporal John Mattek.  Mattek was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Before finding himself in Iraq, Mattek had been the epitome of the big man on campus.  In high school, he was his Class President three out of four years.  He was a Linebacker and Captain of the Football team and a star wrestler.  He gave the graduation address.  In college, he played Football for UofWisconsin - Steven's Point.  Then September 11th happened...

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

...Matt Prickette, one of Mattek's college friends, said the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, changed Mattek's life. After the attacks, he said, Mattek was angry. He felt like he wasn't doing enough with his life, just studying and playing football in college, and he decided to enlist in the Marines.

"He wanted to be in the infantry," Prickette said. "He wanted to know how soon he could be out on the front lines."...

Before he left for Iraq, he gave his family a letter to be opened upon his death.

On June 8th, Lance Corporal Mattek was in his position as gunner on his vehicle in Al Anbar.  During combat operations, an IED exploded by Mattek's vehicle.

He was rushed from the battlefield all the way to Bethesda, Maryland.  Unfortunately, on June 13th, he died of his wounds - his parents by his side.  He also leaves behind a sister, Jill, and brother, Matthew.

The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune has the text of the letter.  Here it is:

The flag stands for freedom and I will defend her. No matter what the cause, because the cause is just paperwork for the weak. It's the buddy to my left and right that will be defended by my hand, my blade, my bullet. I will fear no man, no enemy. I will forego heaven if hell is where the fight is. I have done what I have done and I will do what I will do. At the end of the day God will decide where my soul lay. Upon the arrival of this day, there will be peace on the battlefield and at home. Thy shall not mourn my death, but celebrate my life. Because every man dies, but not every man really lives. I have lived ...

USMC Infantry
Lcpl. Mattek, J.J.

Johnny
"Semper Fidelis"

I'll close with this last bit from the Sentinel-Journal article with a quote from Mark Prickette, one of Lance Corporal Mattek's friends:

When Prickette got this news this morning that Mattek had died, he called his friend's cell phone and waited for voice mail to pick up. He wanted to hear Mattek's voice one more time. It rang four times, then this is what it said:

"Rules are made for the weak. So are you going to sit there and bark like a little dog, or are you going to bite? I'm out."

Godspeed Johnny.

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Godspeed Lance Corporal John Mattek

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on." - Julie Ward Howe, the last verse of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

Thanks to Ron F. for sending an email about Lance Corporal John Mattek.  Mattek was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Before finding himself in Iraq, Mattek had been the epitome of the big man on campus.  In high school, he was his Class President three out of four years.  He was a Linebacker and Captain of the Football team and a star wrestler.  He gave the graduation address.  In college, he played Football for UofWisconsin - Steven's Point.  Then September 11th happened...

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

...Matt Prickette, one of Mattek's college friends, said the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, changed Mattek's life. After the attacks, he said, Mattek was angry. He felt like he wasn't doing enough with his life, just studying and playing football in college, and he decided to enlist in the Marines.

"He wanted to be in the infantry," Prickette said. "He wanted to know how soon he could be out on the front lines."...

Before he left for Iraq, he gave his family a letter to be opened upon his death.

On June 8th, Lance Corporal Mattek was in his position as gunner on his vehicle in Al Anbar.  During combat operations, an IED exploded by Mattek's vehicle.

He was rushed from the battlefield all the way to Bethesda, Maryland.  Unfortunately, on June 13th, he died of his wounds - his parents by his side.  He also leaves behind a sister, Jill, and brother, Matthew.

The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune has the text of the letter.  Here it is:

The flag stands for freedom and I will defend her. No matter what the cause, because the cause is just paperwork for the weak. It's the buddy to my left and right that will be defended by my hand, my blade, my bullet. I will fear no man, no enemy. I will forego heaven if hell is where the fight is. I have done what I have done and I will do what I will do. At the end of the day God will decide where my soul lay. Upon the arrival of this day, there will be peace on the battlefield and at home. Thy shall not mourn my death, but celebrate my life. Because every man dies, but not every man really lives. I have lived ...

USMC Infantry
Lcpl. Mattek, J.J.

Johnny
"Semper Fidelis"

I'll close with this last bit from the Sentinel-Journal article with a quote from Mark Prickette, one of Lance Corporal Mattek's friends:

When Prickette got this news this morning that Mattek had died, he called his friend's cell phone and waited for voice mail to pick up. He wanted to hear Mattek's voice one more time. It rang four times, then this is what it said:

"Rules are made for the weak. So are you going to sit there and bark like a little dog, or are you going to bite? I'm out."

Godspeed Johnny.

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