FAZZARI, MATHEW

Mathew “Mat” G. Fazzari was born December 1, 1986 in Walla Walla, Washington to Greg and Susan Fazzari. He is the eldest of four children. Mathew attended Assumption Elementary School and graduated from DeSales Catholic High School in 2005.  In Mathew's junior year of high school, he met the love of his life, Tovah on a blind date. They wed on August 2, 2008. The couple made their home in Spokane, WA, while they finished their last years of college. On July 11, 2009, the couple became a family with the arrival of Dominic James.  On August 31, 2011, the family grew with the welcoming of Samuel Roch.  

1LT Fazzari finished his degree and enlisted in the United States Army though the Gonzaga ROTC program. He began his active duty service in the aviation field. The family moved to Ft. Rucker, Alabama where 1LT Fazzari attended flight school and was assigned to fly the OH-58D Kiowa helicopters. The OH-58D is a single engine, four-bladed helicopters that is designed for armed reconnaissance, security, target acquisition and designation, command and control, light attack and defensive air combat missions in support of combat and contingency operations.  

In March of 2012, 1LT Fazzari accepted an early deployment and graduated from flight school in April, number one in his class, and was promoted as an Army 1st lieutenant. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. 

On May 11th, 2012, 1LT Fazzari was deployed to Afghanistan, serving out of Bagram Airfield. On June 6, 2012, 1LT Fazzari, along with CPT Scott Pace, were killed when their OH-58D was shot down by the Taliban in Qarah Bagh, Afghanistan. He was 25 at the time of his death. According to a blog post written by another pilot, 1LT Fazzari had been flying their  helicopter as part of a scout team on a surveillance mission.  

In life, he lived with a pure, honorable, and faith filled passion, and Mathew met his Lord in the same way.  

The following is Mathew's favorite quote by General Douglas MacArthur..."By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder — infinitely prouder — to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle field but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, 'Our Father Who Art in Heaven.'" 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers 1LT Mathew Fazzari for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. Our hope is that his life continues to inspire all who learn his story.