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SPC Matthew M. Murchison
127th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade

Killed In Action ~ 4 August 2007 ~ Iraq

 


They Say,
our deaths are not ours,
they are yours,
they will mean what
you make of them.

They say,
we leave you our deaths,
give them some
meaning.

Archibald MacLeish
poet and WWI
veteran.

There is contact information on file for the next of kin. Use the link at the top of this page to contact the Website Manager or use the links to the Memorial Website below to contact the family directly.

        On 4 August at 2248 Hours [10:48 PM] SPC Murchison, age 21, of Independence, Missouri, died from wounds received from an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) that was detonated near his vehicle in Kalsu, Iraq. Two other crew members were also wounded.  They were conducting security for a thirty vehicle convoy when it was ambushed six miles from the Baghdad Airport. The ambush was opened when the third vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED). Fortunately no one in the vehicle was injured. The enemy then opened fire from an overpass with an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) striking the vehicle turret SPC Murchison was manning. The enemy positions were destroyed by responding Apache and Blackhawk helicopter gunships.

 
        The 127th Military Police Company, was assigned subordinate to the 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade in Iraq. The 127th MP Company was on deployment to Iraq from the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Darmstadt, Germany.
709th
18th
 

Courtesy of the 720th MP Battalion Newsletter Gauntlet Forward and the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of SPC Murchison

 
Memorial Page Established by- Heidi Perry-Hipp
In Honor Of Spc. Matthew M. Murchison

        Matthew was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on October 11, 1985. Matt's family lived in the Hutchinson area until 1990, when they moved to the Stanley, Kansas, area. Matt attended schools in the Blue Valley School District until 1995 when Matt's family moved to the Olathe, Kansas, where he continued his schooling. Matt attended Indian Creek Elementary School, Pioneer Trail Middle School and graduated from Olathe East High School in 2004. At Pioneer Trail and Olathe East Matt was active in football, wrestling and mischief.

        Matt's ambition all through high school was to join the military and to eventually become a policeman. Matt was always loyal to his friends and would do anything he had to do in their time of need.

        In September 2005, Matt enlisted in the U.S. Army. Matt went through basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was then stationed in Hanau, Germany, from March - November 2006. In November, Matt was deployed to Iraq as a military policeman in the 127th MP Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade.

        In April 2007 Matt came home on R&R and was able to see many of his friends and relatives. Matt's maternal grandmother (Jane Perry) was dying of cancer in Florida and Matt was able to visit her for the last time. Jane Perry died June 6, 2007. She was so very proud of her grandson, Matthew, and felt like she was letting him down by not being able to live until he returned from Iraq. Little did we know she was clearing a place in heaven for him with God.

        Matt was killed at 2248-hrs Baghdad time on August 4, 2007 by an IED explosion. Two of Matt's best friends were with him and were injured. The family feels comfort to know that Matt was doing what he wanted and was with friends. We are also concerned for his injured friends and hope God helps them to find peace and recover from their wounds.

        Matt will receive the following honors posthumously: the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and was promoted to the rank of Specialist.

        Matthew is preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert Murchison, Gordon Schanck and Jane Perry.

        Other than his parents, Matt is survived by his loving sister, Melissa of Overland Park, Kansas, Matt's paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs Rayburn Wikle of Sabetha, Kansas. His maternal grandparents are Ralph Perry of Leesburg, Florida, and Audrey Schanck of Kansas City, Missouri. Matt is survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

        A full military burial was held at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.

        Honorary pallbearers were: Jason Linder, Kenneth Ogalvie, Spc. Jason Strickland, Spc. Joseph Moors, Sgt. Eric Wilkerson, and David Bellis.

        The family asks that donations be made in SPC Matthew Murchison's name to www.fisherhouse.org

        A memorial Website has been made by Matt's sister Melissa in Matthew's honor. Please view and leave stories and memories that you may have of Matthew at www.matthew-murchison.memory-of.com
 
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