Matthew was born in the US, his mother Linda is a New Zealander and his father, Mario is American. Two of his siblings were born in New Zealand and Mathew held dual New Zealand citizenship.
He spent a lot of time in New Zealand particularly visting his grandparents, his grandfather Bruce also served.
He graduated Torrance’s South High in 2001 and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2005 ninth in his class.
Matthews three brothers are also serving in the US Military. One is based in Thailand, another in California and the youngest is currently at West Point.
His sister Simone Carmichael, competed for New Zealand in the Fifa Women’s World Soccer Cup in China in September and plays for the Ajax America soccer club.
Matthew was five months into his year long deployment in Afghanistan when his patrol was ambushed.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds sustained when their patrol was attacked by direct fire from enemy forces in Aranus, Afghanistan, on Nov 9. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, of Torrance, Calif., who died Nov. 9 in Aranus.Sgt. Jeffery S. Mersman, 23, of Parker, Kan., who died Nov. 10 in Aranus.
Spc. Sean K. A. Langevin, 23, of Walnut Creek, Calif., who died Nov. 9 in Aranus.
Spc. Lester G. Roque, 23, of Torrance, Calif., who died Nov. 10 in Aranus.
Pfc. Joseph M. Lancour, 21, of Swartz Creek, Mich., who died Nov. 10 in Aranus.
November 13, 2007 at 10:10 pm |
Truly a sad occasion.
This is some-one I feel I should know, or could know.
It is some-one who represents the best of the best. He has laid down his life in duty and service to his fellow countrymen, trying to restore peace on foreign soil – and we are confronted with the undeniable knowledge of just how great the sacrifice is.
God Bless Lieutenant Matthew Ferrara.
November 16, 2007 at 1:18 pm |
Why we sleep peacefully at night. Absent friends
November 16, 2007 at 5:46 pm |
My dear, sweet, cousin, you will be profoundly missed by all that knew you. We will be by your parents’ side this Monday as they say goodbye to you, their sweet son. We will hold them up as to not let you down. You are a hero and we are proud of you and now is is time for you to be proud of us. We love you Matty.
November 18, 2007 at 2:50 pm |
God rest him soul.
And thanks to his family for raising such a fine young man. You have our condolances.
December 2, 2007 at 1:23 pm |
[Comment deleted: Offensive] Author invited to go elsewhere and grow a brain.
November 20, 2008 at 11:19 am |
Thank you Matthew for your service.While Cindy Sheehan and all of the other cockroaches were demonstrating,you gave it all.How sad for your family and friends that you left behind.The best way to honor you and all of our troops,is to finish this thing.Crush the radical Islamists and bring them home…victorious.Rest in Peace my friend.
December 5, 2008 at 12:14 pm |
[...] Matthew was the first New Zealander killed in Afghanistan. [...]