Officials with the Iowa National Guard report funeral services for 19-year old Pfc. Matthew A. Cox, of Leon, will be held 10-a.m. Friday (Oct. 26th) at First Baptist Church (originally Urbandale), 3020 E. 38th Street, Des Moines.

Cox, a member of the 186th Military Police Company, Iowa Army National Guard based at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, died while swimming at a Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) beach on Tuesday, October 16th. Interment with full military honors will be at the Decatur Cemetery, 7th and Water Street, Decatur City, Iowa at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 27th.

PFC. Matthew Cox

Cox was born in Des Moines. Hewas active in the Civil Air Patrol, Des Moines Police Explores and farmed with his grandfather, Fred Cox, on the Cox family farm in Decatur County. He was also a member of the 1st Baptist Church, where he was involved in the children’s ministries.

Cox enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard on October 11, 2017 as a Military Police Soldier with the 186th MP Co. He deployed to Cuba in support of Joint Task Force-Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) in July, 2018.

His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.