Major Matthew "Bubba" Worrell '94

1972-2006

"Our Bubba, Our Hero"

Matthew Wade Worrell was many things around the Short Bus: a father of two, a husband to one, brother to another, classmate of many, and friend to all. Matt was a founding member of the Tailgating Crew, a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.

Matt, the son of Pat and Dora Worrell, was born April 4, 1972 in Dallas, Texas.  He graduated from Lewisville High School in 1990 and then attended Texas A&M with where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Company L-1.  There Matt participated in many activities including Aggie Bonfire and Parson’s Mounted Cavalry.  In 1995 he graduated and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army.  His commissioning officer was his proud grandfather, Major (Ret) Jack M. Sherman.  The same year Matt married the love of his life, Camille McNeese '94 of Houston.

Upon graduation from flight school in 1997 Matt reported to Fort Hood, Texas where he served with the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.  In his tour with the 7th, he served as a Platoon Leader attached to Task Force Eagle (SFOR 5) and deployed to Bosnia.

In 2001 he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as Commander of A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment.  In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) with the 2/17 CAV Matt and A Troop, in their OH-58Ds, led the 101st Airborne Division out of Kuwait and into Iraq. In fierce combat they participated in the liberation of Iraqi cities: An-Najaf, Karbala, Al-Hillah, Baghdad, and Mosul.

In 2003 Matt was accepted to the Army’s elite helicopter unit, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment known as the “Night Stalkers”.  There he served as a platoon leader with the 160th’s 1st Battalion, B Company, the “Six Guns”.

On May 14, 2006 Matt and his fellow pilot CW5 Jamie Weeks (son of Aggie Jimmy Weeks '56) were killed when their AH-6M "Little Bird" attack helicopter was shot down near Yusifiyah, Iraq. For their last full measure of devotion and gallantry displayed while supporting the special operations ground forces; both men were posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Matthew's many awards and decorations included the Silver Star (post.), Purple Heart (post), Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/OLC, and three Air Medals including the Air Medal for Valor.

Matt was proud to be an American, proud to be a Texan, and proud to be an Aggie. Likewise, we are proud of Matt: proud of his service, proud of his family, and proud of his friendship.

Matt Worrell was a Hero. He will be forever missed and fondly remembered. Thanks Bubba.

"I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." -Abraham Lincoln

Night Stalkers Don't Quit

Six Guns Don't Miss

"The President of the United States of America has awarded the

SILVER STAR

TO

MAJOR MATTHEW W. WORRELL

For Gallantry:

in action on 14 May 2006, while serving as an AH-6 Pilot operating against an entrenched enemy force during a daylight raid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Major Worrell continued to make successive assaults in support of ground forces, without regard for his own personal safety, until his aircraft was shot down.  His actions destroyed several enemy positions, enabling the ground forces to consolidate into defensive positions.  Without Major Worrell's courage and gallantry under hostile fire, the ground forces would have sustained significant casualties.  He directly contributed to the successful execution of this direct action mission.  Major Worrell's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army."

______________

Night Stalker Creed

Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world – ready to move at a moments notice anytime, anywhere, arriving on target plus or minus 30 seconds.

I guard my unit’s mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. I fear no foe’s ability, nor underestimate his will to fight.

The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier.

I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit.

Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!