Cpl Conley

Cpl Conley graduated from Rodgers High School in 2002, where he was quarterback of the football team. His leadership abilities were apparent on the football field according to Mike Curtis, who was part of the crew that produced radio broadcasts of Rodgers High School football games when Cpl Conley played there.

Cpl Matthew D. Conley was assigned to the 3rd battalion, 7th Marine regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Cpl Conley’s platoon leader Gunnery Sgt Shelby Laseter said the one thing you could say about Conley was that he knew the intricate streets of Ramadi like the back of his hand. Even in the darkest, scariest nights, Conley kept his cool, never losing his bearings or his sense of direction. 2nd LT Almar L. Fitzgerald (who was seriously wounded with Cpl Conley and later died of his wounds), once said, he was lucky to have the privilege of leading such a fine Marine.

Cpl Conley was killed exactly one week before his 22nd birthday, when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device while he was conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. He was a passenger in the Humvee, training the Marine who was to take his place when he returned home to the states.

He was a squad leader for the 37th Weaponry Division of the Marine Corps, stationed at Twentynine Palms California and had been in Iraq since September of 2005.

His father Tommy and his mother Debbie said Matthew was proud of being a Marine and he was proud to serve his country.