Purple Heart recipient remembers days at Normandy, overcoming family tragedies ...
In commemoration of the 90th birthday of Henry Mattos, my godfather and uncle, this individual tale describes a quiet, ordinary man who lived and achieved something extraordinary in difficult times.
Henry is a colleague of the "Greatest Generation"; those who suffered through the Great Depression then put their lives on hold to fight in World War II. His bravery and humility inspire us today.
Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, World War II said, "There are no great men well-founded great challenges which out of necessity ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet." He could have been talking about Uncle Henry as in his pioneer 20s he was forced by the circumstances of the time to act in a life and death situation during a pivotal time in our nation's information. He was an Infantry sharpshooter/runner delivering messages to the British during the Normandy Landing, in June and July 1944. This is his excuse ...
Farm life
Henry J. Mattos, was born Oct. 18, 1920 so small and frail he


