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Paul Edward Mattson
PAUL EDWARD MATTSON
Birth Sept. 13, 1944
Hometown Lake Forest, Illinois
Parents Eric G. and Hilda Louise (Jernberg) Mattson
Military branch Army
Early Life
Paul Mattson was born on Sept. 13, 1944 in Lake Forest, Illinois, to Eric G. and Hilda Louise (Jernberg) Mattson. He had a sister, Arlene, and a brother, Robert.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Mattson graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1963 and attended UW-Platteville for two years, where he majored in engineering. He worked for the Illinois State Highway Department as a draftsman before enlisting in the army.
Military
Mattson enlisted in the Army in Chicago, Illinois, and began his basic training on May 19, 1966, followed by advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following advanced individual training, he attended an eight-week personnel specialist course. He was designated as a Light Weapons Infantryman and served as a light truck driver and infantry operations and intelligence specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry, United States Army Europe from Sept. 30, 1966 to Nov. 28, 1967.
On Jan. 19, 1968, Specialist 4 Mattson reported to Company E, 4th Battalion, 3rd infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Division (Americal) Division in Vietnam. There he served with the reconnaissance platoon in the Chu Lai area of the Quang Ngai Province. On April 20, 1968, Mattson lost his life from wounds received on combat operations when hit by fragments from a hostile land mine.
Mattson was awarded a Bronze Star posthumously. The accompanying citation reads that “he consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a counterinsurgency environment greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversities, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam.”
Services for Specialist Mattson were held in the Fort Sheridan Post Chapel followed by burial in the Lake Forest Cemetery in Lake Forest.
Among Specialist 4 Mattson’s awards are the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Additional awards include the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.
Paul Mattson’s name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., on panel 51E, line 9.
