Matt Mason Memorial Scholarship

After graduating from Kearney High School in 1993, Matt enrolled at MCC-Maple Woods (then called Maple Woods Community College), where he was a leader on the baseball team for two years. He then went on to Northwest Missouri State University, where he was an active member of the Delta Chi fraternity. “During Matt’s high school and college days, he was a gifted athlete and succeeded in both football and baseball,” said Bobby Wisdom, an organizer of the tribute event who played baseball with Mason at Maple Woods. “Matt was a loyal teammate whose work ethic, dedication, and passion inspired everyone around him to be better and work harder.” After graduating from Northwest with a Bachelor of Science degree, Matt enlisted in the United States Navy in 1999. He graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training after completing months of physically grueling and demanding drills and exercises, and was assigned to SEAL Team Three. In November 2004, while Matt was a sniper assigned to Marine Patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, his unit was involved in heavy fire fight with Iraqi insurgents and Matt was severely injured by a mortar round. Numerous surgeries and months of physical therapy later, Matt recovered from his injuries. Soon, was selected to compete for a slot at the Navy Special Warfare Developmental Group, otherwise known as the Naval Special Operations Command (SOC). In 2006, Matt began the selection and training process with this elite group. He endured seven months of the most intense training offered in the military, and upon successful completion, he reported to Naval Special Warfare Tactical and Development Group. Matt was now part of the top tier of US Military Special Forces. SOC Mason completed numerous deployments around the world and combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. In his nearly twelve years of service, this brave warrior earned many awards for his dedicated service to our country. “Matt possessed a great love for life’s adventures and this passion was contagious,” said Wisdom. “He impacted many lives, including those who never had the honor of meeting this great man. Matthew Mason was a remarkable husband, a dedicated father, and a loyal friend and teammate.”