Mattox, John Alexander

John Alexander Mattox was a 23-year-old soldier from Daingerfield, Texas. He served as a Private First Class with Troop C, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas. His unit was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

On August 10, 2008, Mattox was killed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bostick aid station in Afghanistan's remote Nuristan Province. According to military reports, the base came under a complex attack involving small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and indirect fire. Mattox was one of two soldiers from his unit killed in the assault.

Mattox's death occurred during a period of intense fighting in eastern Afghanistan, particularly in mountainous regions like Nuristan. Insurgent attacks on isolated combat outposts were a persistent tactic. Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks.

The Department of Defense officially announced Mattox's death on August 12, 2008. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Specialist. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

John Mattox is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Texas Capitol and on the 1st Infantry Division monument at Fort Riley. His name is listed on Panel 50E, Line 28 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum.

John Mattox was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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