Army 2nd Lieutenant Matthew S. Coutu
November 6, 1981 ~ June 27, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom
64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion
9th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, TX
Operation Iraqi Freedom
64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion
9th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, TX
Submitted by Matt's family:
Matt attended the University of Maine, Orono where he was a Dean’s List student all four years and a member of the University’s ROTC program. “Matt was an exceptional young man,” Capt. Jeffery Weston said. “It’s easy at times like this to toss around all sorts of superlatives but Matt was head and shoulders above his peers. He was one of those guys who was larger than life; he just stuck out. He was a natural leader who inspired confidence and served as a mentor to the younger cadets.”
A distinguished military graduate, Coutu received the George C. Marshall Award, which is given to the top cadet at each university. He was ranked in the top 6 percentile of all ROTC cadets nationally. Matt was a history major and graduated with a 3.4 grade point average, Weston said. University of Maine President Robert Kennedy said the community was saddened to learn of Coutu’s death. “He was an outstanding member of the UMaine community and we will honor and always remember his selfless service to our country.”
Matt graduated from high school in Illinois where he was captain of the football, wrestling and track team at Lake Forest High before graduating in 2000, said principal Jay Hoffman. “He was a great guy, both in the classroom and outside. He was kind of man’s man, all-around great guy in all avenues,” said Hoffman.
Following his graduation from UMaine and commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, Matt attended the Military Police Officer Basic Course in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Upon completion of the course, he was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. Matt and his unit transferred to FOB Rustemiyah, Baghdad in February, 2005. On Monday morning June 27, 2005, Matt together with a squad from his platoon in the 64th MP Company, were en route to the Al Ademyiah Iraqi Police Station in east Baghdad when they came upon a vehicle which apparently hit an IED and engulfed in flames. While directing his men to secure the area, he was killed by sniper fire.
The day following his death, Lt. Colonel Robert Taradash, Commander of the 720th MP battalion in Baghdad called Michael Coutu, Matt’s father, saying how hard his death was being felt by his fellow troops adding “Matthew was perhaps my best platoon leader -- someone who earned the admiration and respect of his fellow officers and the men who served under him. His loss will be grieved no less than that of a brother, parent, spouse or dear friend. He was an exemplary role model to all in this (Army) family.” At a memorial service held in Baghdad, Captain Meeks, Matt’s company commander, said “He loved the Army, the Guardians, and his Soldiers. He reminded us every day that he was committed to being the best and that he took care of the Wolfpack. His dogged will to succeed inspired leaders at every level. He maintained the same intensity day in and day out of this deployment, he did not waver one bit. While doing so he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. For that, I am humbled and honored to have known and served with him.”
Among his awards and medals, Matt posthumously received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. With its inaugural dedication on February 6, 2006, the 2nd Lieutenant Matthew S. Coutu Distinguished Honor Graduate Award is given to the top graduate of each Military Police Officer Basic Course class. In the memorial dedication speech, Colonel Taradash described Matt as a “young man who loved to lead Soldiers; lived by the Warrior Creed and Army Values; loved and lived his life without hesitation; and epitomized heroism. From the moment that I met him, I recognized that Matt led his Soldiers from the front and put every ounce of his being into leading his Soldiers.”
Matt made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we often take for granted. Matt is a hero but not because he fought for our country and died in battle. He fought and died because he was a hero. He was a young man who lived his life with honor and high purpose. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by all whose life he touched.
Matt is survived by his mother Donna who lives in Rhode Island, his father, Michael, of New Hampshire and two brothers Derek and Andrew.
Matt attended the University of Maine, Orono where he was a Dean’s List student all four years and a member of the University’s ROTC program. “Matt was an exceptional young man,” Capt. Jeffery Weston said. “It’s easy at times like this to toss around all sorts of superlatives but Matt was head and shoulders above his peers. He was one of those guys who was larger than life; he just stuck out. He was a natural leader who inspired confidence and served as a mentor to the younger cadets.”
A distinguished military graduate, Coutu received the George C. Marshall Award, which is given to the top cadet at each university. He was ranked in the top 6 percentile of all ROTC cadets nationally. Matt was a history major and graduated with a 3.4 grade point average, Weston said. University of Maine President Robert Kennedy said the community was saddened to learn of Coutu’s death. “He was an outstanding member of the UMaine community and we will honor and always remember his selfless service to our country.”
Matt graduated from high school in Illinois where he was captain of the football, wrestling and track team at Lake Forest High before graduating in 2000, said principal Jay Hoffman. “He was a great guy, both in the classroom and outside. He was kind of man’s man, all-around great guy in all avenues,” said Hoffman.
Following his graduation from UMaine and commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, Matt attended the Military Police Officer Basic Course in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Upon completion of the course, he was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. Matt and his unit transferred to FOB Rustemiyah, Baghdad in February, 2005. On Monday morning June 27, 2005, Matt together with a squad from his platoon in the 64th MP Company, were en route to the Al Ademyiah Iraqi Police Station in east Baghdad when they came upon a vehicle which apparently hit an IED and engulfed in flames. While directing his men to secure the area, he was killed by sniper fire.
The day following his death, Lt. Colonel Robert Taradash, Commander of the 720th MP battalion in Baghdad called Michael Coutu, Matt’s father, saying how hard his death was being felt by his fellow troops adding “Matthew was perhaps my best platoon leader -- someone who earned the admiration and respect of his fellow officers and the men who served under him. His loss will be grieved no less than that of a brother, parent, spouse or dear friend. He was an exemplary role model to all in this (Army) family.” At a memorial service held in Baghdad, Captain Meeks, Matt’s company commander, said “He loved the Army, the Guardians, and his Soldiers. He reminded us every day that he was committed to being the best and that he took care of the Wolfpack. His dogged will to succeed inspired leaders at every level. He maintained the same intensity day in and day out of this deployment, he did not waver one bit. While doing so he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. For that, I am humbled and honored to have known and served with him.”
Among his awards and medals, Matt posthumously received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. With its inaugural dedication on February 6, 2006, the 2nd Lieutenant Matthew S. Coutu Distinguished Honor Graduate Award is given to the top graduate of each Military Police Officer Basic Course class. In the memorial dedication speech, Colonel Taradash described Matt as a “young man who loved to lead Soldiers; lived by the Warrior Creed and Army Values; loved and lived his life without hesitation; and epitomized heroism. From the moment that I met him, I recognized that Matt led his Soldiers from the front and put every ounce of his being into leading his Soldiers.”
Matt made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we often take for granted. Matt is a hero but not because he fought for our country and died in battle. He fought and died because he was a hero. He was a young man who lived his life with honor and high purpose. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by all whose life he touched.
Matt is survived by his mother Donna who lives in Rhode Island, his father, Michael, of New Hampshire and two brothers Derek and Andrew.
Click the image above to visit this memorial to Matt.
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