Matthew J. O'Bryant

Infobox Military Person
name= Matthew James O'Bryant
born= birth date|1986|5|10
died= Death date and age|2008|9|20|1986|5|10
placeofbirth= Mobile, Alabama
placeofdeath= Islamabad, Pakistan
placeofburial=Mobile, Alabama


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy
serviceyears= 2007-2008
rank= Petty Officer 3rd Class
commands=
unit= Navy Information Operations Command
battles= Global War on Terrorism
awards= Purple Heart

Cryptologic Technician 3rd Class (Maintenance)Matthew James O'Bryant(May 10, 1986-Sept. 20, 2008) was a United States Navy Sailor who died in the bombing of a Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Early Life

Born in Mobile, AL to Tommy and Barbara O'Bryant, Matthew was the 2nd of 4 children. Until he was 7 he and his brother, Lawrence(Born in 1983), lived on 5 acres of property owned by their grandparents. Along with several other cousins that lived on the property, they loved playing outdoors. They built tree houses and forts on the property and in the woods surrounding it. Their favorite toy was their Lego sets. They always seamed to have a fascination for the military even as small kids. Their Dad Tommy was a Commander in Royal Rangers at the church they attended, Calvary Assembly of God. Matthew excelled at Royal Rangers earning Ranger of the year several times. When he was 7 his parents gave birth to his first sister Nancy, and they moved to house near Theodore High School. Then when he was 13 his parents gave birth to his youngest sister, Janet.

High School

Matthew attended Theodore High School from 2000 to 2004. He was a member of the JROTC and National Honor Society. While in JROTC he was on the Drill Team, Orienteering Team, and Rifle Team. He served as the Battalion Commander his Senior year and graduated as a full Colonel. In his spare time he worked at CiCi's Pizza, and volunteered at his church by helping the children’s church, and youth functions.

College

Although Matthew Never got his degree he attended 2 yrs at the Art Institute of Atlanta, where studied in film editing. He once told his brother when making his decision that he would be famous, by being a director slash actor slash film producer. While in college he married his High School Sweetheart Bridgett. Then after failing to meet the standards for a final class for his degree, his brother told him about the Navy.

United States Navy

His brother told about how his life with his wife in Norfolk, VA was going. How the Navy paid better than any job he had ever had and you couldn’t beat the health benefits. So he went to the Recruiter in Duluth, GA and enlisted.

The Navy gave him a contract based on his ASVAB score as a Cryptologic Technician in the Maintenance field. He Graduated Boot camp in March of 2007. Then he went on to be top of his class in "A" school, which gave him his promotion to Petty Officer 3rd Class. Upon his promotion he called his brother to say that he outranked him. He outranked his Lawrence for about 4 months until Lawrence made of his 4th exam.

The Hero, The Patriot

Matthew was then selected to get to go on an assignment overseas. He told his family that he could not tell them where he was going, just that he would be home in about 4 months. Then on Sept 21 aprox. 3 weeks after he left his family got news he was missing. His brother Lawrence was aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at the time. Lawrence's command VFA-143 "Pukin' Dogs" flew him off the boat. While in transit they learned of Matthew's death, and Lawrence was greeted at his house by his wife with the news.

Matthew was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Alabama National Guard Distinguished Service Medal. Matthew was laid to rest Sept. 29, 2008 at the Wall of Honor in Serenity Memorial Gardens in Mobile, AL with full Military Honors. Over 700 family and friends of Matthew gathered at Calvary Assembly of God to pay their respects.