SGT Matthew J. Sandri

SGT Matt Sandri grew up in Shamokin, PA, the oldest son of Bob and Annette Sandri. Serving as a combat medic on an Advanced Trauma and Life Support team in C Company, 82^nd Forward Support Battalion, 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 82^nd Airborne Division, he deployed to Afghanistan in July 2002 for six months. In August 2003 the unit deployed to Iraq. On 20 March 2004, the enemy targeted the medical facility using 122mm rockets, killing Matt and LTC Mark Taylor, MD, and wounding six members of the team. Matt’s younger brother became a US Army Paratrooper 11 years later.

Army:

1.       Joins US Army Reserves 1998 while studying Biology at Bloomsburg University PA

2.       Honor Graduate at Joint Culinary Center of Excellence 92G as PV1

3.       Transition to Active Duty/reclasses/graduates Medical Center of Excellence 91W as E-4 2001-2002

4.       Graduates Basic Airborne course MAY 2002

5.       Arrives C Co assigned to Treatment Platoon JUN 2002 one month before deployment to AFG

6.       First C Co medic to make contact with the enemy/First to earn Combat Medical Badge 2002

7.       Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service NOV-DEC 2002 at FOB Salerno

8.       Army Achievement Medal for 16-17 JUL 2003 Operational Readiness Survey Inspection work

9.       KIA 20 MAR 04 FOB St. Mere, Al Fallujah, Iraq

10.   Purple Heart Medal (posthumous)

11.   Bronze Star Medal (posthumous)

Tributes:

1.       Marble plaque from FOB St Mere and two trees dedicated at C Co MAY 2004 [moved with Co 5x]

2.       Tile at Division Support Command Flagpole dedicated Faith Field MAY 2004

3.       Name inscribed on GWOT Monument at 82^nd War Museum, dedicated NOV 2005

4.       44^th MEDCOM and MNF-Iraq dedicate bronze plaque at Camp Fallujah MAR 2005 [now mounted at TSMTC]

5.       Proposal to dedicate Taylor/Sandri Medical Training Center at Fort Bragg, NC 2006

6.       C Co deploys and dedicates Sandri Clinic at COB Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq 2006

7.       Named Distinguished Member of 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment

8.       Construction completed TSMTC, dedicated DEC 2008

9.       C Co deploys and dedicates Sandri Medical Treatment Facility FOB Hammer, Iraq APR 2009

10.   Taylor/Sandri Aid Station manned by C Company medics finished and dedicated 2011

11.   Mural in hallway in honor of SGT Sandri completed MAR 2013, by SGT Morales

12.   82 BSB hosts Memorial Run and names Taylor/Sandri HQ Building 525 Taji, Iraq 20 MAR 2015

13.   Taylor/Sandri Work Out of the Day hosted by C Co 1 JUN 2021 plaque presented to families.

14.On 20 March 2024, a sunrise workout was held by Charlie Company and the 82nd BSB, and later that day, the Sunset Liberty March was conducted in honor of Mark and Matt at Fort Liberty, NC, attended by Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, 18th Airborne Corps, Womack Hospital, instructors from the TSMTC and friends.

Other tributes:

1.       SGT Matt Sandri Memorial Scholarship $1,000 to graduating senior Shamokin PA HS

2.       Weeping cherry tree in front of Mother Cabrini Church Shamokin PA donated by Paratroopers.

3.       Flagpole in front of Shamokin PA city hall dedicated MAY 2005

4.       4 Flags flown in Matt’s honor by DLA at HKIA NATO flag circle on 1 JAN 2021 for supporters, including one in a shadow box at HONOR BREWING presented 20 MAR 2021