Marine identified in Friday car accident

JACKSONVILLE, NC (WWAY) — According to a press release from Public Affairs Director Nat Fahy, a Marine assigned to Security Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune was tragically killed in a single vehicle accident in the city of Jacksonville, NC. around 2 A.M. Friday.

Fahy said Lance Corporal Jacob K. Matthews, 21, of Chester, Maryland enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 18, 2011 and entered Marine Corps Recruit Training in Parris Island, SC. on March 13, 2012. His primary military occupational specialty was 0311, infantryman. After completing the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune on November 9, 2012, Matthews was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and deployed with 1/6 as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit between February and October of 2014.

According to Fahy on February 17th of this year, he was assigned to Security Company as a 5811, military policeman with the base’s military police guard force. His personal awards and decorations consisted of a Good Conduct Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Fahy also said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with LCpl. Matthews and his loved ones in the wake of this tragic incident.”