Couple of friends from Shelbyville, fellow troops in Vietnam, names on the wall. Gave their all.
By Charlie Springer
Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.
2 thoughts on “Remember”
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Thanks for the memory, Tom. I have mentioned Brother Mateja on Theta Tau’s Twitter feed, https://twitter.com/#!/theta_tau.
Alan was not a friend, but a fraternity brother. I never knew him. He had already graduated when I entered Speed and later joined our all-engineering fraternity, Theta Tau. I was Regent (president) when Alan was shot down. His wife came to one of our meetings and told of his situation. She presented me with a POW/MIA bracelet with his name and information to wear. I wore it at least until my graduation in 1973. I still have it, take it out occasionally on days such as this and think about those times. I was fortunate to have a student deferment, and later, a high draft lottery number. I thank Alan and all others who gave their all so that we may enjoy our freedom. They died not in vain!
Name: Alan Paul Mateja
Rank/Branch: O3/US Air Force
Date of Birth: 29 July 1945
Home City of Record: Louisville KY
Date of Loss: 16 April 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 205500N 1064700E (XJ854137)
Status (in 1973): Missing in Action
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: F105G