He graduated from Ellettsville High School in 1932. He was killed in action off Australia during World War II.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Rex Ervin Matson (ASN: 6657964), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action between Queensland, Australia and Rabaul, New Britain, on 6 - 7 August 1942. When the airplane, in which he was gunner, returned to its base in Queensland, Australia, from a bombing mission at Lae, New Guinea, because of a disabled engine, Staff Sergeant Matson, knowing that his group was to execute on the following day an important mission in which the participation of every available airplane was essential, volunteered to accompany his airplane commander on this mission in an airplane which had been declared unserviceable for combat duty. Rejoining his squadron at Port Moresby, New Guinea, after having flown almost continuously during the preceding nineteen hours, he took off, after only three hours rest, in a mass attack by his group on an enemy-occupied airdrome near Rabaul, New Britain. Despite interception by about thirty enemy fighters as the target was approached, the group made a highly successful bombing attack. During the hostile fighter action, the airplane in which Staff Sergeant Matson was a crew member, was on the wing which bore the brunt of the enemy attack lasting for twenty-five minutes. It was observed to drop a blazing bomb-bay tank and fall behind the formation. It did not return to its base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Matson on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Rex Ervin Matson (ASN: 6657964), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action between Queensland, Australia and Rabaul, New Britain, on 6 - 7 August 1942. When the airplane, in which he was gunner, returned to its base in Queensland, Australia, from a bombing mission at Lae, New Guinea, because of a disabled engine, Staff Sergeant Matson, knowing that his group was to execute on the following day an important mission in which the participation of every available airplane was essential, volunteered to accompany his airplane commander on this mission in an airplane which had been declared unserviceable for combat duty. Rejoining his squadron at Port Moresby, New Guinea, after having flown almost continuously during the preceding nineteen hours, he took off, after only three hours rest, in a mass attack by his group on an enemy-occupied airdrome near Rabaul, New Britain. Despite interception by about thirty enemy fighters as the target was approached, the group made a highly successful bombing attack. During the hostile fighter action, the airplane in which Staff Sergeant Matson was a crew member, was on the wing which bore the brunt of the enemy attack lasting for twenty-five minutes. It was observed to drop a blazing bomb-bay tank and fall behind the formation. It did not return to its base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Matson on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
He graduated from Ellettsville High School in 1932. He was killed in action off Australia during World War II.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Rex Ervin Matson (ASN: 6657964), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action between Queensland, Australia and Rabaul, New Britain, on 6 - 7 August 1942. When the airplane, in which he was gunner, returned to its base in Queensland, Australia, from a bombing mission at Lae, New Guinea, because of a disabled engine, Staff Sergeant Matson, knowing that his group was to execute on the following day an important mission in which the participation of every available airplane was essential, volunteered to accompany his airplane commander on this mission in an airplane which had been declared unserviceable for combat duty. Rejoining his squadron at Port Moresby, New Guinea, after having flown almost continuously during the preceding nineteen hours, he took off, after only three hours rest, in a mass attack by his group on an enemy-occupied airdrome near Rabaul, New Britain. Despite interception by about thirty enemy fighters as the target was approached, the group made a highly successful bombing attack. During the hostile fighter action, the airplane in which Staff Sergeant Matson was a crew member, was on the wing which bore the brunt of the enemy attack lasting for twenty-five minutes. It was observed to drop a blazing bomb-bay tank and fall behind the formation. It did not return to its base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Matson on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Rex Ervin Matson (ASN: 6657964), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action between Queensland, Australia and Rabaul, New Britain, on 6 - 7 August 1942. When the airplane, in which he was gunner, returned to its base in Queensland, Australia, from a bombing mission at Lae, New Guinea, because of a disabled engine, Staff Sergeant Matson, knowing that his group was to execute on the following day an important mission in which the participation of every available airplane was essential, volunteered to accompany his airplane commander on this mission in an airplane which had been declared unserviceable for combat duty. Rejoining his squadron at Port Moresby, New Guinea, after having flown almost continuously during the preceding nineteen hours, he took off, after only three hours rest, in a mass attack by his group on an enemy-occupied airdrome near Rabaul, New Britain. Despite interception by about thirty enemy fighters as the target was approached, the group made a highly successful bombing attack. During the hostile fighter action, the airplane in which Staff Sergeant Matson was a crew member, was on the wing which bore the brunt of the enemy attack lasting for twenty-five minutes. It was observed to drop a blazing bomb-bay tank and fall behind the formation. It did not return to its base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Matson on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
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