Charles Benjamin Matthews was born in Orlando, FL, to Charles Irving and Kathleen Helen Boland Matthews. In the early 1930's, his family moved to Daytona Beach, FL. By 1940, the family moved back to Orlando. His parents divorced in 1941.
By 1945, he was living in Burbank, CA, with his father. At the age of 16, he graduated from Burbank High School. One week after his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman to serve during minority and was placed on inactive duty. On 01 Nov 1945, he reported for active duty. In 1946, his rating changed to Seaman, Second Class. Later in 1946, he received an honorable discharge from the Navy. In early 1947, he entered into active service with the Army. Later in 1947, he transitioned to the Air Force when it became a separate military service. In Mar 1948, he departed for Japan where he was stationed until his return to the United States in Jun 1949. On 20 Feb 1950, he received an honorable discharge from the Air Force with the rank of SGT.
He later returned to Orlando, where on 30 Dec 1951, he married Juanita Joan Strycker. She was one week shy of turning 20 and he enjoyed telling everyone that he married a teenage bride.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his wife, Juanita Matthews of Orlando, FL; his children Ben (Diane) Matthews of Bel Air, MD, Nancy (Don) Reeder of Tallahassee, FL, Chuck (Mandy) Matthews of Ocoee, FL, Carol Matthews of Tallahassee, FL, and David Matthews of Orlando, FL; his grandson Ben Matthews II; and his siblings Joyce Austin of San Ramon, CA, Don Matthews of Orlando, FL, and Jim Matthews of Canton, NC; and his half-brother John Michael Barber of Orlando, FL.
By 1945, he was living in Burbank, CA, with his father. At the age of 16, he graduated from Burbank High School. One week after his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman to serve during minority and was placed on inactive duty. On 01 Nov 1945, he reported for active duty. In 1946, his rating changed to Seaman, Second Class. Later in 1946, he received an honorable discharge from the Navy. In early 1947, he entered into active service with the Army. Later in 1947, he transitioned to the Air Force when it became a separate military service. In Mar 1948, he departed for Japan where he was stationed until his return to the United States in Jun 1949. On 20 Feb 1950, he received an honorable discharge from the Air Force with the rank of SGT.
He later returned to Orlando, where on 30 Dec 1951, he married Juanita Joan Strycker. She was one week shy of turning 20 and he enjoyed telling everyone that he married a teenage bride.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his wife, Juanita Matthews of Orlando, FL; his children Ben (Diane) Matthews of Bel Air, MD, Nancy (Don) Reeder of Tallahassee, FL, Chuck (Mandy) Matthews of Ocoee, FL, Carol Matthews of Tallahassee, FL, and David Matthews of Orlando, FL; his grandson Ben Matthews II; and his siblings Joyce Austin of San Ramon, CA, Don Matthews of Orlando, FL, and Jim Matthews of Canton, NC; and his half-brother John Michael Barber of Orlando, FL.
Charles Benjamin Matthews was born in Orlando, FL, to Charles Irving and Kathleen Helen Boland Matthews. In the early 1930's, his family moved to Daytona Beach, FL. By 1940, the family moved back to Orlando. His parents divorced in 1941.
By 1945, he was living in Burbank, CA, with his father. At the age of 16, he graduated from Burbank High School. One week after his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman to serve during minority and was placed on inactive duty. On 01 Nov 1945, he reported for active duty. In 1946, his rating changed to Seaman, Second Class. Later in 1946, he received an honorable discharge from the Navy. In early 1947, he entered into active service with the Army. Later in 1947, he transitioned to the Air Force when it became a separate military service. In Mar 1948, he departed for Japan where he was stationed until his return to the United States in Jun 1949. On 20 Feb 1950, he received an honorable discharge from the Air Force with the rank of SGT.
He later returned to Orlando, where on 30 Dec 1951, he married Juanita Joan Strycker. She was one week shy of turning 20 and he enjoyed telling everyone that he married a teenage bride.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his wife, Juanita Matthews of Orlando, FL; his children Ben (Diane) Matthews of Bel Air, MD, Nancy (Don) Reeder of Tallahassee, FL, Chuck (Mandy) Matthews of Ocoee, FL, Carol Matthews of Tallahassee, FL, and David Matthews of Orlando, FL; his grandson Ben Matthews II; and his siblings Joyce Austin of San Ramon, CA, Don Matthews of Orlando, FL, and Jim Matthews of Canton, NC; and his half-brother John Michael Barber of Orlando, FL.
By 1945, he was living in Burbank, CA, with his father. At the age of 16, he graduated from Burbank High School. One week after his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman to serve during minority and was placed on inactive duty. On 01 Nov 1945, he reported for active duty. In 1946, his rating changed to Seaman, Second Class. Later in 1946, he received an honorable discharge from the Navy. In early 1947, he entered into active service with the Army. Later in 1947, he transitioned to the Air Force when it became a separate military service. In Mar 1948, he departed for Japan where he was stationed until his return to the United States in Jun 1949. On 20 Feb 1950, he received an honorable discharge from the Air Force with the rank of SGT.
He later returned to Orlando, where on 30 Dec 1951, he married Juanita Joan Strycker. She was one week shy of turning 20 and he enjoyed telling everyone that he married a teenage bride.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his wife, Juanita Matthews of Orlando, FL; his children Ben (Diane) Matthews of Bel Air, MD, Nancy (Don) Reeder of Tallahassee, FL, Chuck (Mandy) Matthews of Ocoee, FL, Carol Matthews of Tallahassee, FL, and David Matthews of Orlando, FL; his grandson Ben Matthews II; and his siblings Joyce Austin of San Ramon, CA, Don Matthews of Orlando, FL, and Jim Matthews of Canton, NC; and his half-brother John Michael Barber of Orlando, FL.
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SGT USAF
S2 USN
World War II
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