Army Spc. Matthew K.S. Swanson

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Matthew K.S. Swanson, 20, of Lake Forest, Calif.

Spc. Swanson was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Aug. 8, 2009 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover July 19 in Logar Province, Afghanistan.

OCRegister -- A Lake Forest soldier who was injured in Afghanistan in July died Saturday.

Specialist Matthew Swanson, 20, sustained injuries during a vehicle rollover accident on July 19 in Logar Province, Afghanistan. Swanson suffered a traumatic brain injury and a fractured spine, his father, Jeff Swanson, said today.

After the incident, Swanson was transferred to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where he was taken off life support over the weekend at the request of his family.

Jeff Swanson said his son's body will be brought back to Orange County for a funeral after an autopsy has been completed.

In a statement, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called Specialist Swanson a "dedicated soldier who selflessly worked to defend the values that our country was built upon."

"Maria and I are deeply saddened to learn of Matthew's sacrifice and we join all Californians in remember his courageous service," he said. "Our hearts go out to Matthew's family, friends and fellow soldiers as they mourn this tremendous loss."

Matthew Swanson joined the Army after graduating from Trabuco Hills High School in 2007. He was deployed to Afghanistan in January as a member of the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y.

The soldier returned home to visit his dad in June and left on the Fourth of July, Jeff Swanson said. He mourned the loss of his son, but said he was glad Matthew died doing what he wanted to do.

"He always wanted a job where he was making a difference. He's a hero in more ways than one," Jeff Swanson said, adding that his son died for his country and that his organs will be donated. "In his 20 years, he accomplished a lot."

Army Spc. Matthew K.S. Swanson died 8/08/09 as a result of a vehicle rollover on 7/19/09.