Matthew Dwyer Killed In Copter Crash In Vietnam

Matt Dwyer, 21, Killed In Viet Helicopter Crash

Lance Corporal Matthew Murice Dwyer Jr., formerly of Nutley, was killed in Vietnam when his helicopter was shot down February 28, 1968, 11 miles from Khe Sanh. He was on his second tour of duty and had been in Vietnam only two weeks before he was killed.

Corporal Dwyer had re-enlisted, according to his fiancee Pamela Dobbs, because he felt sorry for the people and he just had to do his part to help out.

A strong, introspective type of man, Dwyer, according to his aunt Miss Margaret Dixon, "would rather walk away from fight than argue. It wasn't because he was afraid, he was a big boy, over six feet. He just could not be bothered with it."

Dwyer, who lived in Nutley and attended Yantacaw, Franklin and Nutley High schools, never mentioned to his family where he was going or what he was doing. As of Dec. 9, 1967, he was in the Marines three years and was due to be discharged in December 1968. He had already spent 13 months in Vietnam, from May 1966 to July 1967.

Wounded in the leg in November 1966, his reaction was typical of the manner in which he attempted to protect his family from unnecessary worry or concern. He requested that his family be notified, but phoned his mother later while he was in Hong Kong for rest and relaxation. It was then that the family learned he had been injured and had received a purple heart.

Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Ethel Dwyer, three sisters and three brothers.

Adapted from the Nutley Sun.

National Memorial Wall Panel Panel 41E - Row 063

New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Nutley Sons Honor Roll

Vietnam War