Floyd Matthews
Encyclopedia
Floyd Huston 'Skipper' Matthews (February 3, 1903 – February 24, 2008) was, at age 105, a American
veteran
of the United States Navy
, in which he served for thirty years. Matthews was the oldest living United States military veteran in Alabama
as well as the oldest living submarine
r at the time of his death at the age of 105. He was also one of the oldest surviving World War II
veterans and one of the few surviving World War I
era veterans, according to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
.
Matthews was born in West Point, Tennessee. He first enlisted in the United States Navy in 1919 in the months following the end of World War I when Matthews was aged 16. He later served in the Pacific during World War II. By the time of Matthews' service during World War II, he had risen through the ranks of the Navy to the level of lieutenant commander
.
Floyd Matthews died at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was survived by his sons, Bill and John. Matthews was a resident of Florence, Alabama
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, in which he served for thirty years. Matthews was the oldest living United States military veteran in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
as well as the oldest living submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
r at the time of his death at the age of 105. He was also one of the oldest surviving World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veterans and one of the few surviving World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
era veterans, according to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
.
Matthews was born in West Point, Tennessee. He first enlisted in the United States Navy in 1919 in the months following the end of World War I when Matthews was aged 16. He later served in the Pacific during World War II. By the time of Matthews' service during World War II, he had risen through the ranks of the Navy to the level of lieutenant commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
.
Floyd Matthews died at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was survived by his sons, Bill and John. Matthews was a resident of Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
.