Floyd Matthews
Floyd Huston "Skipper" Matthews (February 3, 1903 – February 24, 2008) was, at age 105, an American veteran of the United States Navy, in which he served for thirty years.[1] Matthews was the oldest living United States military veteran in Alabama as well as the oldest living submariner at the time of his death at the age of 105.[1] He was also one of the oldest surviving World War II veterans and one of the few surviving World War I era veterans, according to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.[1]
Matthews was born in West Point, Tennessee. He first enlisted in the United States Navy in 1919 in the months following the end of World War I when Matthews was aged 16.[1] He later served in the Pacific during World War II.[1] By the time of Matthews' service during World War II, he had risen through the ranks of the Navy to the level of lieutenant commander.[1]
Floyd Matthews died at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was survived by his sons, Bill and John.[1] Matthews was a resident of Florence, Alabama.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rupe Eubanks, Michelle (2008-02-26). "State's oldest veteran dies at 105". TimesDaily. Retrieved 2008-03-18.