Local Marine dies in Iraq

GREENHILL -- Tommy and Debbie Conley were awakened early Sunday morning by a knock on their door.

"When I saw who was there, they didn't have to say a word, I knew what was going on,'' said Tommy Conley.

The early-morning visitors to the Conley home in Greenhill were members of the United States Marine Corps. They were there to tell the Conleys that their son, Cpl. Matthew Conley, was killed while on duty in Iraq.

The 21-year-old Conley, a 2002 graduate of Rogers High School, was stationed in Ramadi, Iraq. He is the first local soldier to die in the war in Iraq.

He was a squad leader for the 37th Weaponry Division of the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed at 29 Palms, Calif., and had been in Iraq since September 2005.

"He was leaving Iraq March 6. He was to be back in California March 16 and back at home March 22,'' Tommy Conley said.

Family and friends were planning a huge celebration for Matt's return: his 22nd birthday, which would be Feb. 26 and a baby shower for him and his wife, Nicole, who is expecting their first child in March.

Instead, the family now faces the task of planning a celebration of Matt's life.

Conley and other members of his squad were killed when an improvised exploding device detonated near their Humvee. The squad was on security patrol in the province of Al-Anbar.

The Greenhill native was a passenger in the vehicle, training another soldier who was to take his place when he returned home.

Tommy Conley said it's his understanding that there were six or eight people in the Humvee when the IED exploded. He said everyone in the Humvee were causalities.

For his family, Matt's life ended on Saturday at 3:40 p.m., which was 12:40 on Sunday morning in Iraq.

"It's like this really isn't happening. It's like a nightmare,'' said Debbie Conley as she wiped away tears.

As news of Matt's death spread throughout the area, family and friends began arriving at the Conley's house to pay respect to the memory of Matt and to offer support to his family.

His high school principal, Tim Tubbs, had written Matt about a month ago.

"I told him how proud I am of him, and he wrote me back with a really nice letter," Tubbs said. "He said he's enjoying his time in the military and understands the magnitude of the job and is giving it his best."

Tubbs recalls talking with Matt shortly after Matt announced his decision to join the Marines.

"I told him how proud I was of his decision," Tubbs said. "I told him he'd move up quickly because of his leadership ability.

"Matt was a fine young man. I thought the world of him. He was well liked by the students and had a great personality."

Matt Conley joined the Marine Corps after graduating, something that came as a surprise to his parents.

"He said it was something he decided he needed to do,'' said his father. "I'll never forget, just before he left, he told me not to worry.

"He said he wanted to fight for his country; if he didn't, he'd be letting his country down,'' Tommy Conley said fighting back emotions.

The Conleys said they were very proud of their son. When he graduated from Boot Camp at Paris Island, S.C., there were about 25 members of the family there for the occasion.

His father said once Matt got into the Marine Corps he gave it his all and "went all out.''

Even in Iraq, Tommy Conley said his son had graded excellent in all his patrols.

"After he joined, we talked and it was evident that (Matt) was aware of the challenge he faced and what could happen,'' said his Uncle Gary Jester. "But he was up to the challenge. He was a remarkable young man.''

Matt Conley married his high school sweetheart, Nicole Newton, in July 2003. The couple was excited about the arrival of their first child, a girl.

"(Matt) was a fantastic person,'' said Nicole's father, Dewayne Newton. "I could not have picked a better husband for Nicole.

"They had been liking each other for years. They were like the perfect couple, and it was like (their marriage) was meant to be.

"I loved him like my own, and I was proud of him because he was proud to be serving his country.''

Tubbs described Conley and his wife as "an All-American couple."

She was a cheerleader and he was a quarterback. "They were high school sweethearts from good families," Tubbs said.

Mike Curtis, who was part of the radio crew for Rogers school when Matt played there, said Matt's leadership ability was apparent on the football field.

"He wasn't the best passer or runner, but he could lead that team," Curtis said. "He was a great individual. I've known his family for a long time.

"It just totally shocked our family to hear the news today. You hear about these soldiers getting killed and it's tragic in itself but this makes it hit home and you realize it's a war over there."

His high school coach, Dan Beavers, echoes Curtis' memories. Conley's senior year was Beavers' first as head coach at Rogers.

"He didn't have a whole lot of ability but was just a great leader," said Beavers, adding that Conley was one of his favorite players to coach. "His number one characteristic was just his toughness."

Beavers recalls Conley leading his team to victories in two games when he had a severely sprained ankle. Another time, he had to be rushed to an emergency room because he was dehydrated and had lost 15 pounds.

Beavers went to a party for Matt just before he shipped out.

"He was all fired up, just like he was anytime with anything he did," Beavers said. "He was just super competitive."

Greenhill resident Wes Richardson, a member of the Alabama Army National Guard's 115th Signal Battalion, knew Conley well.

"He was a good Marine. It really hits home because my son, Brett, is a Marine and he's coming home tomorrow,'' Richardson said. "Our prayers go out to the family.''

Steve Nash, whose son Brian played high school sports with Matt, said Conley's death was a tragic loss for the community.

"He and my son were great friends. That whole class was very close,'' Nash said. "They were always hanging out and doing things together.

"Like today, there were five boys who were his friends. They all live out of town, but (when they heard what happened) they came back home to go see the family.''

Tommy Conley said being a Marine was something his son never regretted.

"He was proud to serve his country and me and his mother were proud of him, and always will be,'' his father said.

Conley's body is scheduled to be flown back to the United States later this week.

Tom Smith can be reached at tom.smith@timesdaily.com.

TimesDaily staff writer Bernie Delinski and sports editor Gregg Dewalt contributed to the story.