I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Matthew McClintock grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was a graduate of Eldorado High School and attended the University of New Mexico.
Staff Sgt McClintock, joined the Army in 2006 where he initially served as an infantryman. He was deployed to Iraq with the 1st Calvary Division soon after his enlistment. McClintock served in a variety of units before he was selected to attend the Army Special Forces training in 2009 and upon completion he was assigned to 1st Special Forces Group and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.
In 2014 McClintock left active duty service and joined the 19th Special Forces Group of the Washington National Guard. His unit deployed to Afghanistan in July of 2015.
On Tuesday, in a joint US/Afghan operation in Marja, SSgt McClintock’s unit came under small arms fire. McClintock was the only casualty, but two other US soldiers were wounded as were several Afghan special forces soldiers. Two Air Force Special Operations HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters sent to evacuate the soldiers came under heavy enemy ground fire. One helicopter suffered damage to its rotor blades when it hit a compound wall while attempting to land. The second helicopter was waved away from the landing zone. Several hours later the casualty and injured were evacuated and a quick reaction force remained behind to secure the downed Pave Hawk.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee released this statement:
The death of one of our own is especially difficult to grasp. My thoughts and prayers are with StaffSergeant McClintock's friends and family, including his young wife and infant son. He is a true American hero who stood up to protect his state and nation. Trudi and I are deeply grateful for his service.
Major General Bret Daugherty, commander Washington National Guard said in a statement:
Staff Sergeant McClintock was one of the best of the best. He was a Green Beret who sacrificed time away from his loved ones to train for and carry out these dangerous missions. This is a tough loss for our organization, and a harsh reminder that ensuring freedom is not free. We stand with Staff Sergeant McClintock’s family, and will provide ongoing support during the grieving and healing process.
SSgt McClintock’s father, Sonny McClintock said the sacrifice his son made came at a time when he had much to live for.
He's my only son. He was everything. A lot of things were happening in his life in the last few months. He has a 3-month-old son, and he had a fantastic opportunity where he got to come home for the birth of him in October. And he and his wife just celebrated their anniversary.
His wife, “Allie” wrote:
Yesterday I lost the love of my life, Declan lost his father, we all lost a loved one. My husband Matthew was killed in action. Matthew's greatest wish was to be a father, a husband, and a green beret. He got to do all of those things in his too short life. Declan will grow up knowing his father was the greatest man I've ever dreamed to know and a hero. I want to thank his teammates for doing everything they could to bring Matthew home to us. Matthew is so deeply loved by so many, please understand during the next span of time I'll be attempting to find some way to cope with the magnitude of this loss and unfortunately words fail me for once so responses will be slow and if you don't receive one at all, know I'm grateful for your love and support. I am surrounded by family and our closest friends. Most people never get to find their soul mate, I'm so blessed for the three wonderful years I got to have with mine and for the rest of my life that I'll get to spend with his son.
McClintock’s awards include four Army commendation medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Q. McClintock is survived by his wife, Alexandria; his infant son, Declan Cade; mother, Joyce Montoya; father, George Burns McClintock III; brother, Kevin Williams; grandmother, Cecilia Montoya; grandfather, Gilbert Montoya; uncle Gilbert Montoya; uncle Roman Montoya; aunt, Georgia Montoya; and cousins Marisa Montoya, Alex Montoya and Victor Serecerez.
News Source
News Source
News Source
News Source
News Source
About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.