Honoring Knox County Heroes

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day this week, the Museum Corner would like to express our appreciation to the Barbourville Tourism for the veterans’ flags that are currently flying all over town. Knox County men and women certainly have proven, conflict after conflict, that they are willing to sacrifice for their country.

Knox Countians have most likely served in every major war the United States of America has been involved in since declaring our independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.

This week, the Museum Corner would like to honor two soldiers that gave their lives in battle during the Vietnam War. While the United States began our involvement in Vietnam in the 1950s, it was great escalated in the mid-1960s until our withdrawal in 1973. By the end of the U.S. involvement, more than 3.1 million Americans had been stationed in Vietnam, and 58,279 had been killed.

Ronnie Mills of Flat Lick was the son of Lester and Gertrude Jackson Mills. He was born on August 9, 1947. Mills had three brothers, Paul, Edward and Matthew as well as two sisters, Levina and Darlene.

Ronnie was drafted into the Army because of his entrance into the Selective Service. He began his tour in Vietnam in March 30, 1968. Mills achieved the rank of Specialist Four. His military occupation or specialty was Wheel Vehicle Repairman. He served the Headquarters & Headquarters Battery (HHB), II Field Force Artillery, II Field Force, based at the U.S. Army base Long Binh Post.

On the evening of April 1, 1968, SP4 Mills was in his “hooch” or living quarters when he was accidently shot and killed by a fellow artilleryman who was handling a submachine gun with which he was not familiar. Ronnie was just 20 years old.

Mills’ body was returned to Barbourville, and his funeral was held on April 12, 1968, officiated by Rev. A. S. Marsee and Rev. W. B. Bingham. He was buried in the Pineville Cemetery.

SP4 Mills was posthumously awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal for his service during the Vietnam War. You may find Ronnie Mills honored as his name is etched in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. His name is inscribed at Panel 47e, Line 34.

McKenley Odis “Ken” Matlock was born September 18, 1942, one of twelve children of Amon and Clara Shelton Matlock. In 1950, the Matlocks were living in the Warren Coal Camp, but Amon later moved his family to the Carpenter community in southern Knox County.

Around 1964, Matlock married Kathleen Turvin from Opp, Alabama. They welcomed son Kenneth in May 1966.

Matlock entered the service via regular military on July 13, 1961. He began his tour in Vietnam on February 21, 1968. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His military occupation or specialty was Armor Crewman. He was attached to 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, A Troop. SSGT Matlock served as platoon sergeant during his time in Bamberg, Germany before his deployment to Vietnam.

SSGT. Matlock was killed in South Vietnam on March 30, 1968, in what the Army described as “died through hostile action ... small arms fire” which usually meant an attack by enemy forces. He was just 25 years old.

McKenley’s body was returned to Barbourville, and his funeral was held on Wednesday, April 10 at the Locust Grove Baptist Church at the mouth of Golden’s Creek in southern Knox County. He was interred in the Wilson Cemetery on Golden’s Creek in the Rain community. A United States Military Honor Guard from Fort Knox conducted his military rites.

SSGT. Matlock was awarded the Purple Heart, and he is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. His name is inscribed on Panel 47e, Line 8.

Kathy Marie Matlock, born October 1968, never knew her father, but has certainly been told stories of his heroism and has seen his smiling face in many photographs. On the Vietnam Veterans Wall of Faces Memorial page Kathy posted, “Daddy, I would like to have seen you in person and to have gotten to know you. I love you and I hope to see you one day. You are a hero to me.”

Both Ronnie and Ken are forever etched in their families’ memories as handsome young men with their whole lives ahead of them, energetic and young, charismatic and bold, daring and courageous. As Knox Countians, we honor their families’ sacrifice and pray for their peace. Both the Mills and Matlock families heard those honorable words, “On behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

The bugle call “Taps” was played one last time. A final salute given. Happy Veterans’ Day to all of our current and former service members.