Capt. Montee
July 18, 1921 — July 22, 2014
Capt. Matthew P. Montee, US Army (Ret), age 93, died July 22, 2014 at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio after suffering a heart attack earlier in the week. He was born July 18, 1921 in Ilo Ilo, Panay, Philippine Islands to a military family and grew up in Manila and Baguio. Matt developed a love of flying from his Father, Tracy. After the death of his father, Matt enlisted in the US Army to help support his mother and sister. He was stationed at Henderson Field in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked and participated in the defense of the airfield. He applied for flight training and spent much of his training time at Randolph Field in San Antonio before being shipped to New Guinea. He lost contact with his mother Rose and sister Patsy at the start of hostilities, but was unexpectedly reunited with them in 1944. The family started the first flying service in the Philippines which, unfortunately was destroyed during World War II. Matt is a veteran of World War II where he served as an A-20G pilot flying with the 674th Bomb Squadron, 417th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force out of Noemfoor, New Guinea. He flew 77 missions and was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and numerous Air Medals. Matt left the Army after WWII but rejoined two years later and served in the 24th Infantry as a tank commander during the Korean War. He received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant and earned 3 Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V device and the Army Commendation Medal. After Korea, Matt went back to flying for the Army where he trained to fly helicopters. He continued his flying career with the Army until his discharge in 1959. Matt flew as a corporate pilot, started a security guard company in San Diego and then moved on to driving tractor-trailer trucks until his retirement in 1996. He is survived by his sister Patsy (Arnie) Krueger, his daughter Kim (Greg) Cavataio, sons Tracy (Sarah) and Lance (Judi) Montee, and daughter Judy (Harry) Orrison. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Matt was a friend to everyone, especially stray dogs - for whom he often bought lunch and occasionally adopted. He was a good man who loved and served his country with every fiber of his being. May God grant him Eternal Rest. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 4, 2014 at 2:00PM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1065 E. Live Oak Rd, Schertz TX. Interment will be August 5,2014 at 1:00PM, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy., Dallas TX.
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