Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Kelley poses in front of a Kiowa helicopter at Fort Rucker, Ala., in this undated photo. Mr. Kelley was killed in the line of duty Monday in Iraq, his family said.
OSBORN, Mo. - A U.S. Army helicopter pilot from Osborn, Mo., died Monday while serving with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, in Iraq. Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Kelley, 30, flew Kiowa helicopters, the Army's armed reconnaissance aircraft.
"He was born on a Monday and died on a Monday," said Catherine Kelley, his mother.
Family members said Tuesday that Mr. Kelley was killed in action.
"He really just wanted to fly," said his father, Col. Stephen Kelley, who is retired from the Army. He made the decision to fly Kiowa helicopters because he'd get more flying time, Mr. Kelley said. Matthew had wanted to fly since he was 9, his father said.
His all-time favorite movie was "Top Gun," said Chris Kelley, Matthew's older brother, an Army Reserve veteran who returned in June from Iraq and is a firefighter with the St. Joseph Fire Department.
Matthew Kelley enlisted in 2003, joining the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He already had completed a tour in Iraq, earning an Army Commendation Medal. Mr. Kelley also got a chance to earn Australian Jump Wings while assigned to the 82nd.
He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and always wore it above his pilot wings. When other helicopter pilots would razz him about the badge, he'd just tell them they were jealous, his brother said with a laugh.
A "military brat" born in Germany, Matthew moved with the family from base to base until his father retired. They settled on a farm southeast of Osborn when Matthew was 11.
Mrs. Kelley, the soldier's mother, is a teacher, and home-schooled her two sons.
He loved history, and both boys learned to memorize a lot of Scripture, Mrs. Kelley said. He read books about World War II with a voracious appetite, especially if they were about planes, his father said.
He married DaLana Wallace, from Cameron, Mo., in 2001, and they have two children. She was the only girl he ever dated, his brother said.
And their first kiss was when they got married, because he stood for what he believed in, Mrs. Kelley said.
The soldier's wife and children, Megan, 6, and Tyler, 4, live in New York near Fort Drum, where his brigade was stationed.
Chris Kelley said his brother was a hero, but "he'd lost a best friend."
The U.S. Defense Department hasn't confirmed the death. American military officials did say four U.S. soldiers were killed Monday when two helicopters crashed in northern Iraq. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Marshall White can be reached at marshall@npgco.com.
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KWinNY says...
To the Kelley family, my prayers are with you. My husband "Ski" was the other pilot in the aircraft with Matt so I feel your loss with all of my broken heart. Tonight I grieve not only for the loss of my husband, but for the loss of Matt as well. May God bless you and give you peace.
January 28, 2009 at 2:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenniesue72 says...
Delana and family,
My heart goes out to you, Tyler & Megan. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you all will be in our prayers forever. You will always be one of our PWOC sisters here at Rucker. May peace be with you..........jennifer & jason winekoff
January 28, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skelley says...
Mrs. Windorski, Matthew was my brother-in-law and we grieve with you and the other two families that lost a loved one as well. Matt was truly a light and we will miss him deeply.
January 28, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkbabe says...
I don't know this family but my thoughts and prayers go out to the Kelley family and also to your family, KWinNY. I pray that God will bring you some peace and soothe your aching hearts. Thank you to your family for this greatest sacrifice.
January 28, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Loretta says...
My name is Loretta Scott and I live in Cameron, MO. I want to thank you for this article. It made a deep impression upon me and I would pray that there were many wonderful young men like Matthew. This world would be a better and safer world. I plan to share this article with friends and will mention Matthew's sacrifice in church Sunday. My husband served 2 duties in Vietnam. Our prayers go out to Matthew's family and may the peace of God give you comfort.
January 28, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10377586 says...
May god hold your family in the palm of his hand.
January 28, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
azmaggie says...
God Bless both families! THANK YOU for their service to our country. May you have peace knowing they left doing what they loved to do and defending our country!
January 28, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PatriotGuardCaptNY says...
To the families of Ski and Matt...
Please accept my condolences for your untimely loss.
Both these men and the others KIA are Hero's and they will never be forgotten.
Know there are many who grieve with you.
We would be honored to stand in Respect and gratitude at services if invited.
Dave Kern
NYS Captain
Patriot Guard Riders
www.PatriotGuard.org
January 28, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mylestones says...
Delana & Family-
My sister at Ft Drum told me about your loss, and it broke my heart. Know that we--along with hundreds of other believers--are praying fervently for you. Thank you to both you and your husband for your service and sacrifice.
http://mainelymyles.blogspot.com/2009...
January 29, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmulheron says...
We are CW2 Mulheron's parents from Nixa, MO. Just by reading this article, we can tell what a Great Man, Husband, Father & Christian that Matt was. To the Kelley and Wallace families; my family and I send our deepest and heartfelt regret. Our son Joe was Matt's roommate in Iraq and there is no doubt that Matt has had a great impact on his life. Our prayers are with you and the other Hero's from Bravo Troop. May God grant you peace and comfort and hold you all in the palm of his hands.
January 29, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmulheron says...
We are CW2 Mulheron's parents from Nixa, MO. Just by reading this article, we can tell what a Great Man, Husband, Father & Christian that Matt was. To the Kelley and Wallace families; my family and I send our deepest and heartfelt regret. Our son Joe was Matt's roommate in Iraq and there is no doubt that Matt has had a great impact on his life. Our prayers are with you and the other Hero's from Bravo Troop. May God grant you peace and comfort and hold you all in the palm of his hands.
rmulheron@best-refrigeration.com
January 29, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emoore59 says...
We are Megan Moore's parents from Georgia. Megan is engaged to Joe Mulheron, Matt's roommate. Megan has talked about you and Matt many times. She looked up to you two as a couple and you set a great example for her.
Our hearts are full of sadness yet your strength is an inspiration to us all. We can't begin to understand your sorrow, but if it helps any, the stories we have read about Matt and all the guys has touched more hearts and reached all over the globe. Theirs are stories of heros in everyway. Matt lived his faith everyday. While he soared with eagles for a short time, he is now on the ultimate mission. Our deepest and sincerest condolences go out to you, your children and your family. May God Bless you and keep you and may His Light shine upon you. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
emoore59@bellsouth.net
January 30, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )