SGT Matthew D. Hunter
Age: 31
Hometown: Valley Grove, WV
Date of Death: 1/23/2006
Incident Location: Baghdad
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: SGT
Unit: 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Unit's Base: Fort Campbell, Ky.

Hunter died in Baghdad, Iraq, on January 23, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

A native of Valley Grove, W.Va., Hunter's funeral also was attended by members of American Legion Post 656 of West Alexander and Valley Grove and Clearview fire departments. American flags were hung from poles all through town, and many residents also had taken the time to display their own flags.

In addition to his wife, Wendy, and stepdaughter, Meredith, he is survived by his parents, Kathy and Joe Kinney of Valley Grove and Fred and Debbie Hunter of Glen Dale, W.Va., a sister and a brother.

***Special thanks to KELLY FONNER for photographing the final resting place of this young hero.

SGT Matthew D. Hunter
Age: 31
Hometown: Valley Grove, WV
Date of Death: 1/23/2006
Incident Location: Baghdad
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: SGT
Unit: 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Unit's Base: Fort Campbell, Ky.

Hunter died in Baghdad, Iraq, on January 23, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

A native of Valley Grove, W.Va., Hunter's funeral also was attended by members of American Legion Post 656 of West Alexander and Valley Grove and Clearview fire departments. American flags were hung from poles all through town, and many residents also had taken the time to display their own flags.

In addition to his wife, Wendy, and stepdaughter, Meredith, he is survived by his parents, Kathy and Joe Kinney of Valley Grove and Fred and Debbie Hunter of Glen Dale, W.Va., a sister and a brother.

***Special thanks to KELLY FONNER for photographing the final resting place of this young hero.