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SSgt Matt Maupin

Matt Maupin was a young man who grew up in the midwest with the typical dreams and aspirations of any other young man standing on the cusp of adulthood. He wanted to get a college education, drive his car, hang out with his friends. But Matt made a decision to serve his country first. He enlisted, trained and was deployed to Iraq. In the course of his service, his outfit was attacked by insurgents and he was taken hostage. Extraordinary circumstances brought this humble soldier into the hearts of many of his fellow countrymen. Extraordinary effort by his brothers in arms tell of the special bond that drove them to search for Matt for four very long years. And the extraordinary love of family and friends keep Matt's story alive with continued support of our military serving in harm's way. On this page you will find stories of Matt, who he was and what he meant to those who knew and loved him. To the right is a list of web links that you might also find interesting. Please let us know what you think in our guestbook and thanks for coming to visit.

Monday, January 31, 2011 06:57 PM

Speaking in the past tense about anyone is a hard thing to do, especially when that person was always eager to live in the present and look brightly into the future.  Matt was the guy always ready with a smile, whether it was before the bell rang for 1st period or after a big win on Friday night.  His friends and classmates knew a goofy, intelligent, likeable peer who never made enemies and always offered a helping hand.  His family knew a happy, kind soul who had struggles like anyone else, but who had the strength and quiet determination to persevere and be the best he could in any situation.


Keith Matthew Maupin was born July 13, 1983 in Batavia, Ohio just east of Cincinnati.  Matt grew up a typical Midwest kid, playing soccer and spending summer days at King’s Island with his family and friends.  He was always on the go and spent most of his time outside playing with his younger brother Micah.  While at Willowville Elementary and Glen Este Middle School, he was regularly a stand-out student earning good grades and praise from his teachers.

 


Matt attended Glen Este High School where he focused on his academics, attending the Buckeye Boys State at Bowling Green University.  He also played 2nd string receiver and defensive back on the football team for three years.  Despite limited playing time, Matt never missed a practice or game and frequently stayed later than his teammates to utilize the weight room or work on skills.  His greatest loves though, were his 1998 Ford Mustang and participating for the Clermont High School Crew. Matt was a crew member for two years proving to be an excellent oarsman.  As an oarsman, Matt made an impression on his coach and teammates by being one of the strongest and most dedicated rowers.  In 2001, Matt’s Crew won the Gold medal in the Midwest Championships in the Boys’ Quad race.  Following his death, the rowing team, along with members of the community, raised money to erect the Matt Maupin Pavilion at William H. Harsha Lake in the East Fork State Park where the crew practices and competes.

 

 
After high school, Matt enrolled at the University of Cincinnati, studying aerospace engineering and then switching to nutritional sciences.  He spent his off-time from classes working on his car and he enjoyed hiking and camping. In August, 2002, to the surprise of his family, Matt enlisted in the Army Reserve to help pay for tuition.  After basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he was called to active duty and deployed to Iraq.  Despite homesickness and disliking his time in Iraq, Matt performed his job, protecting civilian convoys, without complaint.


On April 9, 2004, the convoy Matt and his unit were assigned to protect came under enemy fire.  Five civilians and one soldier, Specialist Gregory Goodrich, were killed during the attack while Matt, Sgt. Elmer Krause, and civilians William Bradley, Timothy Bell and Thomas Hamill were missing after the attack.  Sgt. Krause’s remains were found on April 23, 2004 and William Bradley’s body was found in 2005.  Hamill narrowly escaped after one month of captivity and Matt was listed as missing and a hostage for almost four years.  Timothy Bell still remains missing and is presumed dead.


The last time Matt’s family, friends and community saw him was a video released a week after his capture.  As usual, Matt appeared calm under pressure, telling a story about having a young son (sons are valued over daughters in some Muslim extremist groups) and showing a picture of his nephew that he always carried with him.  In the following four years, Matt was promoted twice, finally to Staff Sergeant. During this time a video of a man being shot emerged from his captors’ group who claimed the victim to be Matt Maupin.  However, Matt’s family and the Army found the video to be inconclusive since the face of the man was never shown.  They held out hope that Matt would soon be found alive.


On March 30, 2008, Matt’s father, Keith, confirmed that Matt’s remains had been found near Baghdad, Iraq and that he was finally coming home.  After thousands of yellow ribbons had been hung, countless candles burned at vigils, and hundreds of sleepless nights for family and friends, Matt was buried at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 27, 2008.  


Matt’s short journey in this life may be over, but his spirit and story will live on in the hearts of his family who fought so bravely to bring him home and the community that supported them in their time of need.  Matt’s family and community have vowed to continue supporting the US troops deployed overseas in Matt’s honor because that’s the kind of pride he inspired.  It’s what Matt would have done.


“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him” – Abraham Lincoln

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