MATTHEW "KYLE" EVANS
October 4, 2017
Name:
SFC Matthew "Kyle" Evans
Hometown:
DOB:
DOP:
25-May-2019
Entered Service:
2004
Deployments:
Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Joint Combined Exchange Training in Philippines, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Cambodia multiple times, Indonesia twice, Thailand, Japan, and Korea; Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve
Units:
2nd Bn 6th Infantry, 1st Armored Division; ODAs 1115 and 1325 of the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group; U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
Education:
U.S. Army Sniper School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Weapons Course, Special Operations Indonesian Language Training, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course, Special Forces Combat Diver Supervisor Course, USASOC Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Jungle Environmental Survival Training, Army Special Operations Techniques (ASOT II), and the Maldivian Island Survival Training
Awards & Decorations:
Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal (4), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3), Overseas Ribbon (3), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Star, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Diver Badge, Combat Diver Supervisor Badge, Special Forces Tab, Army Senior Parachutist Badge, the Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, and according to Kyle, he won first place in his second grade coloring contest (although this claim cannot be independently verified)
Survived By:
Kyle is survived by his wife, Lacey Farrell Evans; daughter, Maryn; and son, Macklin.
Honoree Bio:
A soldier in the US Army for nearly half his life and a highly decorated Green Beret, Kyle was a true American Hero. He once said that his blood ran red, white, and blue, and it truly did. Patriotism and love of his country were his career's driving forces, and he always stood behind them. Still, his career and love of the nation were only part of what made Kyle stand apart from others. His presence commanded a room with his endless supply of stories, love, comedic antics, and fresh dance moves. Kyle was fierce, fearless, captivating, adventurous, animated, passionate, authentic, unrestrained, and dedicated to his country, friends, and precious family.
He was a husband to the love of his life, a father to his 4-year-old daughter and a son on the way, and a friend to so many. His most incredible pride and joy was his daughter. Her birth changed his heart; he became filled with love and tenderness towards his little princess and adored being her favorite playmate. He was looking forward to having a son, someone to teach all his hobbies and passions to while guiding and shaping him into the same caliber of man.
Sadly, Kyle never got the opportunity to meet his son or watch his children grow up. He was suddenly taken from this world on May 25th, 2019. His death came as a tragic shock to all who knew him, and it impacted every heart that was fortunate enough to have met him. Because of Kyle's love for his country and kids, it was easy to start a foundation in his memory. His family and close friends know that Kyle would want to help kids in a similar situation as his; kids who had parents who loved their country with the same passion and kids who had then lost that parent while serving our great country.
Kyle's impact and the light he left on the world will continue to shine through his precious kids, family, and friends and will further be spread through this foundation—a foundation that shines light, hope, and joy into the lives of kids as they traverse the tragic, unthinkable darkness of losing a parent.
