Soldiers

This page is dedicated to Robert M. Matteson

Having been a Marine prior to WWII ( mustered out then drafted into quartermaster corps and volunteered for the 82cd,) he was one of the older members of the 505PIR. He served from the beginning of the 82cd throughout the war and is mentioned in Marshall’s “Night Drop” at the battle for the LaFiere Bridge. He was a Silver Star recipient in Sicily. A sergeant during most of his time in the ETO he received a battlefield commission to 2cd Lt sometime after LaFiere. I believe he was Able Company of the 1st Battalion.

He was KIA January 3rd 1945 and is buried at Henri Chappell. He is listed in Allan Langdon’s book “Ready” as KIA in the Ardennes.


Below is an envelope containing a letter from Paratrooper Bob Murphy to his sister. The bottom left corner of the envelope shows that it was censored by Lieutenant Matteson.

According to fellow soldier Robert Murphy: "2d Lt R M Mattesson was a 1st Sgt,in 'A' Co 505 and got a battlefield commisiion after Normandy He was a great combat soldier and was KIA in Reharmont Ardennes on 3 Jan '45 He may have been attached to the 325 when KIA."

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