Matthew Wade Worrell
Major, U.S. Army

On 14 May 2006, Major Matthew Wade Worrell was serving as an AH-6 pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, MAJ Worrell’s unit was engaged in a daylight raid against enemy forces. During the raid, MAJ Worrell continued to make successive assaults in support of the ground forces until his AH-6M helicopter was shot down. MAJ Worrell's actions destroyed several enemy positions, enabling the ground forces to consolidate into defensive positions. Without MAJ Worrell's courage and gallantry under hostile fire, the ground forces would have sustained significant casualties. MAJ Worrell directly contributed to the successful execution of this direct action mission. MAJ Worrell's courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with Valor Device
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)
Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Action Badge
Senior Army Aviator Badge
Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Matthew Wade Worrell, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an AH-6 pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) on 14 May 2006, while operating against an entrenched enemy force during a daylight raid in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Major Worrell continued to make successive assaults in support of the ground forces, without regard for his own personal safety, until his aircraft was shot down. His actions destroyed several enemy positions, enabling the ground forces to consolidate into defensive positions. Without Major Worrell's courage and gallantry under hostile fire, the ground forces would have sustained significant casualties. He directly contributed to the successful execution of this direct action mission. Major Worrell's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this command, and the United States Army.

Burial

Major Matthew Wade Worrell is buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Dallas County, TX, in Section 76, Site 1620.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14310045/matthew-wade-worrell