Army Captain Matthew J. August of North Kingstown, Rhode Island was 28 when he became a Rhode Island fallen hero. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (Mech) in Fort Riley, Kansas. Captain August was killed January 27, 2004 in an improvised explosive device attack in Khalidiyah, Iraq.

Remembering Matt:
Captain August of North Kingstown graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School with the class of 1993. Upon graduation, he attended the United States Military Academy where he received his commission in to the United States Army in 1997. During his time at the Military Academy, he met the love of his life and married her in 1998. Matthew believed he could make the world safer for future generations by fighting in Iraq, his father said. “You can’t really weigh the life of your child in terms of what our country’s needs are, but I think he believed in what West Point taught — duty, honor, country,” said Matthew’s Dad.

Matthew was an avid outdoorsman and a great trout fisherman, his family said. Officials from his high school remember him as a quiet leader who distinguished himself with difficult coursework. At West Point, he met his wife. His mother recalls that her son was protective of his wife, who also was serving in Iraq. “He doted on her,” she said.

One of his former Commanders remembers him “as a brave man [and a] great soldier” when he served as his company commander in Iraq. He further states that Matt “exemplified the motto of the Big Red One: No Mission too Difficult, No Sacrifice too Great; Duty First!”

Captain August is survived by his wife, his parents, Donna and Richard August, his older brother, Mark, and his younger sister, Melanie. His brother Mark is a Colonel in the United States Air Force and is stationed in Japan. Those who knew him continue to speak highly of his kindness, his commitment to his wife and family, his patriotism and love of service. We will never forget his sacrifice.

Proceeds from the CPT Matthew J. August bracelet will be donated to Operation Stand Down RI in his memory.