A paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend, officials said Wednesday.
Spc. Matthew Roland, 23, died Sunday in Raleigh, North Carolina. A native of Dublin, Georgia, Roland was a cavalry scout assigned to A Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
"Spc. Matthew Roland was a remarkable paratrooper for A Troop, this squadron and the 82nd Airborne Division," said Lt. Col. Scott Pence, the squadron commander, in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He arrived in July and quickly earned the trust and admiration of his platoon and troop. Spc. Roland and his family will always be members of the Panther Recon family."
Roland joined the Army in June 2011. He was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, in August 2012, where he served in several assignments before being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in July.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.
Roland is survived by his parents and sister.
