Robert M Matteson, born in 1914, was the son of Reverend Benjamin Comstock and Mary Magdalina “Maggie” (Price) Matteson from Tignall, Wilkes County, Georgia. In the 1920 census, 6 year old Robert is living with his parents and 2 siblings at Swainsboro, Emanuel County, Georgia. His father is a Methodist Pastor. By the 1930 census 16 year old Robert is living with his parents and 5 siblings at Toccoa, Stephens County, Georgia.

Robert served as a Marine and mustered out prior to WWII. He was then drafted into the Quartermaster Corps and from that unit volunteered for the paratroops. Robert was one of the older members of the 505th PIR, serving from the early days of the regiment he remained with them throughout the war. He is mentioned in Marshall’s “Night Drop” at the battle for the LaFiere Bridge. He was a Silver Star recipient in Sicily. A sergeant during most of his time in the ETO he received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt. sometime after LaFiere. He was in Able Company of the 1st Battalion. He was a great combat soldier and was KIA in Reharmont Ardennes during the Bulge counter offensive. Reharmont is 28 miles north of Bastogne and 13 miles southwest of Malmedy.

AWARD CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert M. Matteson (ASN: 34083634), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on the morning of 9 July 1943. Sergeant Matteson's unit was preparing to make an attack on a fortified garrison. This attack could not be launched until a pillbox which was covering the avenue of approach to the garrison was silenced. Staff Sergeant Matteson and four privates crawled over 100 yards until within about ten yards of the enemy emplacement. While the private covered the pillbox, Staff Sergeant Matteson ran alone to the side of the pillbox and threw two hand grenades in the door, killing one of the enemy and capturing the other three. Staff Sergeant Matteson and his men were under heavy fire from machine guns in the pillbox during this entire action. General Orders: Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 29 (August 20, 1943).

Source of information: www.findagrave.com