Staff Sgt. Matthew H. Stiltz was born in Spokane, Wash. He graduated from Shadle Park High School in 2005. He enlisted in the U.S. Army June 26, 2005. His military service includes: Basic training and Advanced Individual Training course, One Stop Unit Training, Fort Benning Ga. He was assigned to the 1st Bn., 28 Inf. Regt. Feb. 2, 2006. Beginning as a rifleman, he moved through the positions of anti-armor specialist and rifle team leader, before becoming a squad leader while in Afghanistan. He served 14 months in Iraq, from 2007 to 2008, and another 10-month tour, from 2009 to 2010. He deployed on his third tour of duty to Afghanistan in May 2012.
“The man was ingenuous at a job, which is very rare to find these days, and would always go out of his way to look for information if he didn’t have it,” said Sgt. David Lynch, a friend of Stiltz. “As a fellow noncommissioned officer, he was the mold to follow; he was a mix of the old school with the common sense of the new.”
Stiltz’s awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, 2OLC, Army Achievement Medal, 1OLC, Army Good Conduct Medal, 2nd Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, 2 stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, 2nd award, and a certificate of achievement. He also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Air Assault Qualification Badge.
Stiltz is survived by his wife, Brooke; his parents, Mark and Teresa Stiltz; brother, Jeff Stiltz; sister, Kristin Stiltz; and his mother-in-law and father-inlaw, Nick and Jennifer Keller.
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