Their Story
Remembering Matthew S. Shubzda.
LT Shubzda passed away on October 18th, 2002, during a training exercise in which his F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
LT Shubzda was a star quarterback and superb student at Naaman Forest High School in Garland, TX. These abilities ultimately earned him admission to the Naval Academy, allowing him to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a Navy pilot.
LT Shubzda played defensive back at Navy and was fortunate to play with his brother, Tim. On one occasion during the annual Army-Navy game, Tim and Matt were on the field together: “I was the Navy kicker and we were lining up for the kickoff against Army,” Tim said. “There were 70,000 people in Philly stadium, and I looked down the line and there was Matt.”
LT Shubzda was known for keeping very close relationships with his family. His brother Tim was in the process of earning his pilot wings at the time of LT Shubzda’s death.