Hometown: Lexington, KY
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Unit: 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
Military Honors: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: August 26, 2015 - KIA in Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Age: 27
Conflict: War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021

Matthew Roland grew up understanding the meaning of duty, responsibility, and leadership. Born on Christmas Eve in 1987 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, “Matt” was the son of Air Force Colonel Mark and Barbara Roland. As is common in the military, the Roland family moved as Air Force assignments required—spending time in South Dakota, Texas, New Mexico, and Kentucky.

As a boy, Matt achieved the Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award in 2002 and graduated from Lexington (Kentucky) Catholic High School in 2006, where he was a Cross Country runner. He was accepted into the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and graduated with the class of 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering.

After graduating from the Academy, Roland entered the rigorous Special Tactics Officer training pipeline. The two-year program includes military freefall, combat dive school, and advanced special operations training. Roland earned his red beret in June of 2012.

According to The Matthew Roland Foundation:

He was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron as the Team Leader directing employment of Special Tactics Airmen to integrate, synchronize, [and] control air and space power. Capt. Roland led real-world tasking and combat preparedness training for a 35-member team. As a Special Tactics Officer, he was a qualified battlefield commander prepared to lead reconnaissance, strike, and recovery missions. He was a military static-line jumper, free-fall jumper, an Air Force combat scuba diver, and a joint terminal attack controller. He deployed three times, twice to Afghanistan and once to Africa.

In August of 2015, Captain Roland’s 23rd Special Tactics Squadron was serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Roland was driving the lead vehicle when his convoy came under attack at a checkpoint near Camp Antonik, Helmand Province.

Instead of heading for cover, Capt. Roland positioned himself in the line of fire to protect his special operations teammates—buying them time to react and neutralize the attackers. His split-second decision and selfless actions would earn him the Silver Star medal. His citation reads:

Silver Star citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Captain Matthew D. Roland, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Special Tactics Officer, NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan, Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, in support of Resolute Support Mission. On 26 August 2015, Captain Roland (23d Special Tactics Squadron), gave the last full measure to save the lives of his teammates at Camp Antonik, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Captain Roland was driving the lead vehicle of a Special Forces Convoy transiting through Afghan checkpoints en route to their camp from Bastion Airfield. When the Convoy reached the final checkpoint, one guard approached the left side of Captain Roland’s vehicle while a second guard maneuvered toward a fortified position containing a belt-fed machine gun. As the first guard came within five feet of the bus, he began to raise his weapon. Without hesitation and with no regard to his own safety, Captain Roland yelled “Insider Attack, Insider Attack!” while keying his radio to alert all convoy members. Simultaneously, Captain Roland reversed his vehicle away from the gunman to protect his vehicle occupants. The gunman’s first rifle burst tore through the front of the vehicle, killing Captain Roland instantly, but his warning to the other personnel in his convoy afforded them precious time to react. His passengers were able to take cover and draw their weapons. Neutralizing both gunmen and limiting the number of friendly casualties, Captain Roland’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan, and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Forrest Sibley, 31, a combat controller from Pensacola, Florida was killed in the same attack.

Captain Matthew David Roland was 27 years old when he sacrificed his life for his country and to save the lives of his teammates. He had just two weeks left to complete his six-month tour. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 60, Site 11042) with full military honors on September 18, 2015.

In his honor, Matthew’s parents and his sister Erica established The Matthew Roland Foundation, “which funds a variety of opportunities for young servicemen and women, including leadership camps, scholarships, and tactical training opportunities.”

In May of 2021, the U.S. Air Force’s 24th Special Operations Wing dedicated the Roland Field Leadership Training Complex at Hurlburt Field (Florida) in his honor.

Sources
Photo and details provided by Col. Mark Roland (Ret.), Capt. Roland’s Gold Star father.
The Matthew Roland Foundation
Air Force Special Operations Command: A man to emulate: Honoring a fallen Special Tactics Officer
Air Force Times: Two special operations airmen killed in Afghanistan
Air Force Special Tactics (24 SOW): Capt Matthew Roland
Pensacola News Journal, September 18, 2015: Capt. Roland laid to rest at Arlington
Air Force Special Tactics (24 SOW): ‘One for Capt. Matthew Roland!’: Cadets, Special Tactics Airmen honor fallen Academy grad
Military Times—The Hall of Valor: Matthew D. Roland
Lexington Herald-Leader, September 3, 2015 (via Legacy.com): Captain Matthew David Roland USAF
Air Force Special Tactics (24 SOW): A True Patriot: Fallen Special Tactics Officer to receive Silver Star medal
Burial Site: Find a Grave