July 15, 2013 – It is with heavy heart we must inform you of the passing of Patriot THOMAS WALLACE MATTHEWS, of Luling, Texas. Tom was one of Texas Capital Chapter 1919, Military Order of the Purple Heart, World War II Veterans.
“By the time the war ended in Europe, Lt Thomas Matthews had flown combat missions in the Balkans, Italy and Southern France while participating in the Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley, Southern France and Rhineland Campaigns. When it was his turn to depart for home, September 20, 1945, he returned to the United States with awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross and 9 Oak Leaf Clusters on his Air Medal, together with his Purple Heart, Victory Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge and an EAME Campaign Medal with 6 Bronze Service Stars.”
Tom was able to visit his WWII Memorial in Washington, D. C. on the very first Honor Flight Austin trip, along with two of his fellow WWII friends from Luling. Please join us in remembering Patriot Thomas Wallace Matthews. Click to read more on the heroism of Thomas Walter Matthews on the Military Order of the Purple Heart webpage.
