SFC Joseph Christopher Matyga (Ret.)

SFC Joseph Christopher Matyga (US Army Retired), 84, died on Thursday, 27 October 2022 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Joe was born 1 November 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, son to the late Joseph Francis Matyga and Stella Pawelska Matyga. After being raised in the St. Hedwigs Orphanage on the North Side of Chicago; Mr. Matyga enlisted in the United States Army in September 1955.

SFC Matyga served with the utmost dignity and honor for more than 20 years. While serving he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, however he would also serve in Vietnam, as well as Germany. He performed duties as an Administrative Specialist and Radio Operator in XVIII Airborne Corps Repl Det FORSCOM. In 1959 SFC Matyga attended the Army Language School located in Monterey, California. It was here, then Army Spec 4 and Green Beret Joe Matyga met a life long friend and brother, Communication Technician Officer Third Class Jim Semelroth of the US Navy. The two formed a bond that nothing would ever separate and they still remain friends today.

During his service SFC Matyga earned the following awards and decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Laos), Bronze Star Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Parachute Badge, Republic of China Special Parachute Badge, and Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards).

Along with his father and mother, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jacqueline Tompkins.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Toshiko Matyga, of the home; his daughters, Marcia Matyga, of Walnut Creek, CA, Debbie Matyga, of Greensboro, NC, and Vicky Blumer (James), of Raeford, NC; his sister, Marcia Fach, of Hermitage, TN; three grandchildren, Joshua Detlie, Jennifer Kerrick, and Jessica Zimmerman; four great grandchildren, Jaxon Detlie, Maddison Detlie, Scarlett Kerrick, and Wyatt Zimmerman; as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

Graveside Services with Full Military Honors will be conducted Thursday, 3 November 2022 12:00 Noon in Sandhills State Veteran's Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd, Fort Bragg, NC 28310.

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