Captain Matthew D. Roland was born on December 24, 1987, and grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of Mark Roland, a retired Air Force colonel, and Barbara Roland. Determination was his strength. He set his sights on military service early in life and did what it took to earn an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was an Eagle Scout, an honor student and a cross-country runner and team co-captain. He loved the outdoors, camping and backpacking, and he enjoyed working with his hands; he joined his high school drama club to build the sets. The bar he later built for his house now stands in his former team room.
At the Air Force Academy Matthew joined the Sandhurst Team, which competes in military skills against sister-service and international academies, and he rose to cadet-in-charge. The experience changed his plans from flying to Special Tactics. He graduated in 2010 with a degree in aeronautical engineering and in 2012 completed the rigorous Special Tactics training program to become one of the Air Force’s few Special Tactics officers. He was a static-line and military free-fall parachutist, an Air Force combat scuba diver and a joint terminal attack controller, assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Matthew deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Africa, earning the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. He led the first Special Tactics Squadron deployment to Niger, where his team built a new operations center, living quarters and dining facilities, then expanded air infrastructure across the continent with 81 missions and 37 assault zone surveys in 10 countries. He commanded a 686-mile long-range desert patrol that established communications and weather monitoring where none had existed. When Nigerien Special Forces hunting Boko Haram ran out of food and water, he led a free-fall insertion into a remote border area, set up a landing zone and controlled the airdrop of 3,000 pounds of supplies. “Matthew Roland was a unique officer; he was unmatched when talking military strategy and would surprise senior leaders with his knowledge,” said his team sergeant, Master Sergeant Jared Hodges. “As a team leader, he cared for the men and loved the mission.”
On August 26, 2015, with two weeks left in his third deployment, Matthew volunteered to drive the lead vehicle of a U.S. Army Special Forces convoy returning to Camp Antonik in Helmand Province, because he knew the route best. At the final Afghan-led checkpoint, a guard in an Afghan uniform raised his rifle at Matthew’s window. Matthew instantly keyed the radio to shout “Insider attack, insider attack!” and threw the vehicle into reverse. He was killed, along with Staff Sergeant Forrest Sibley, but his warning gave his teammates time to react and eliminate both gunmen. He was 27 years old.
On June 1, 2016, his family received his posthumous Silver Star at Hurlburt Field. “His actions on that night do not surprise me,” his father said. “He was a warrior, a leader and, more than that, a servant leader whose first thoughts were for those he served.” His teammates called him “the guy people depended on, turned to, looked up to,” a man who could fix or build anything, fit in with any crowd and lead any team. “He was loved and respected and was good at what he did,” his father said. “As parents, we can think of no greater tribute.”
Matthew is survived by his parents, Mark and Barbara; his sister, Erica; and his nieces, Mina and Josie.
CPT Roland threw his vehicle into reverse and alerted his element during an insider attack at Camp Antonik, giving his teammates time to react and save lives.
Air Force Special Operations Command
Sources
- Air Force: That others may live: Silver Star medal for fallen Airman, son (June 1, 2016)
- Air Force: Special tactics Airmen killed in hostile incident
- Air Force Special Tactics: Honor the Fallen, Capt Matthew Roland
- Combat Control Foundation: Capt Matthew D. Roland, Silver Star Medal recipient
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Matthew Roland bio and family stage brief
