Matthew Mattingly, helicopter pilot, dies in Iraq

BEAVERCREEK — The Miami Valley has lost another soldier in the war in Iraq. Killed Wednesday was Army Capt. Matthew C. Mattingly, 30, whose father, Dennis, lives in Beavercreek.

Mattingly was co-piloting an OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter near Mosul when enemy fire from the ground penetrated the helicopter's outer skin. The shots struck Mattingly.

Welch said Mattingly was commander of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment of the 82nd. He was deployed to Iraq this summer from Fort Bragg, N.C.

Mattingly's co-pilot was able to take control of the helicopter and return it to the aircraft base, Welch said.

He said Mattingly graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, where he had been a member of the ROTC. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Army after graduation and completed an aviation officer basic course in 1999. He also is survived by his mother, Randi Mattingly of Columbus; and sister Michelle of Winchester.

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