Location: 4332
Date: 9/20/2009
Rank: Senior Airman
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Matthew R. Courtois was a family man, whether he was chasing his two stepchildren, Shaundra and Kaden, or just hanging out with relatives and friends. “He always carried a smile and determined to get the job done,” colleague Johannes Dias wrote in an online memorial, adding that the two had deployed together to Iraq. Courtois, of Lucas, Texas, died Sept. 20, 2009 — a week before his three-month wedding anniversary — after a nonhostile incident at Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait. The 22-year-old was assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Col. James. S. Browne, commander of the Mountain Home Air Force Base, offered his condolences to Courtois’ family. “Airman Courtois was a valued member of our Gunfighter team,” Browne said in a released statement. “Matthew’s passing is a huge loss for Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Air Force. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the Courtois’.”
Courtois was on his second deployment to the region after arriving at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in 2007. Courtois attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in December of 2006 after graduating from high school. He headed to the technical school at the Lackland base for the “Security Forces Apprentice Course” and reported to the Mountain Home Base in Idaho in June of 2007. He served as a security forces patrolman as part of the Security Forces Alpha Flight, 366th Security Forces Squadron. Courtois was deployed to the Bucca Air Force Base in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom on June 10, 2007 where he served a full tour of duty until Feb. 10, 2008. He returned to the region as a response force leader and redeployed to Kuwait on July 25, 2009 in continuing support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Matthew Courtois was the son of Steve and Sue Courtois. He was born in Arizona and grew up in Lucas. He attended Allen High School in Allen, Texas, and joined the Air Force in January 2006. Matthew was an Eagle Scout, loved being outdoors, building fires and shooting or playing paintball. He also enjoyed singing karaoke and playing video games on an Xbox. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Courtois is also survived by his wife, Cheyenne; a brother, John; and two sisters, Carrie and Amy.