1/5/2012
Airman First Class Matthew R. Seidler was born on January 3, 1988 in Westminster, Maryland and graduated from Westminster High School in 2006. He enlisted in the Air Force and successfully completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in 2009. From there, he attended and graduated from Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal in December 2010. He was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado where he immediately began training to attain his journeyman qualification. Airman Seidler deployed to Camp Leatherneck Afghanistan as part of the 466 EOD Flight, Operating Location Delta in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While operating in the Shrigazi Province, he and his Air Force team cleared lines of communication, enabled freedom of maneuver, and ensured the safety of coalition and local nationals by engaging and defeating the enemy’s weapon of choice: the Improvised Explosive Device.
Airman Seidler’s awards include the Bronze Star with “V” Device, Purple Heart Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal with gold border, Air Force Training Medal, and the NATO Medal.
Airman First Class Seidler is survived by his parents Marc and Lauren Seidler and his older brother Justin.