Thomas Matthews (colonel) facts for kids

Thomas E. Matthews was born in 1949. He is a retired United States Army officer who reached the rank of Colonel. He is well-known for his important role in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.

Colonel Matthews served in the military for many years. After his service, he continued to work for the Department of Defense. He lives in northern Virginia with his family.

Colonel Matthews' Military Career

Thomas E. Matthews joined the United States Army in 1972. He served for 30 years, retiring in 2002. During his time in the Army, he became a highly respected officer.

Role in the Battle of Mogadishu

The Battle of Mogadishu happened in 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Colonel Matthews was a key commander during this event. He was in charge of the 1st Battalion of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). This unit flies special helicopters for important missions.

Commanding from Above

During the battle, Colonel Matthews and another officer, Lt. Col. Gary L. Harrell, commanded the mission from a helicopter. Their helicopter, called Super 6-3, flew above the fighting. This allowed them to see the whole battle and guide the soldiers on the ground.

Helicopter Incident

During the intense fighting, two Black Hawk helicopters from Colonel Matthews' unit were shot down. These helicopters were hit by forces led by a Somali warlord named Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Sadly, five members of Colonel Matthews' unit lost their lives in this event.

Awards and Recognition

For his brave actions in Somalia, Colonel Matthews received special awards. President Bill Clinton honored him with the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also received the Air Medal. These awards recognize his courage and leadership during the battle.

After Military Service

After retiring from the Army, Colonel Matthews continued to serve his country. He began working in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This office is part of the Department of Defense.

Involvement with Black Hawk Down

The Battle of Mogadishu was later made into a famous movie called Black Hawk Down. Colonel Matthews was an adviser for this movie. He helped the filmmakers make sure the story was accurate. In the movie, an actor named Glenn Morshower played the role of Colonel Matthews.