Matthew’s life was dedicated to the service of the people of America. Matt enlisted in 1981 at the age of 18. In his 10-year career he would make sergeant and become a squad leader in 2nd Anglico‚ an elite scout team that went into hostile territory ahead of ground troops. He served in Beirut and in operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Matthew joined the Fire Department in 1995 and earned his way into the Elite Squad 1 unit‚ based in Park Slope‚ Brooklyn. He was recently accepted to law school‚ was an active marine reservist‚ studied Kung Fu‚ played guitar‚ took photographs‚ climbed to the summit of Mount Rainier‚ and was a rescue instructor for the Fire Department.
His awards include three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals‚ the Good Conduct Medal‚ the Southwest Asia Medal‚ the Reserve Medal‚ the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)‚ the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)‚ and the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon. He also earned the Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia (Gold Jump Wings) and was certified as a Jump Master.
Matt and I served with 2nd ANGLICO together
– Harold BrownHe was a really great guy I am an african-American And he was my brother . His loss is really felt . I now live in Virginia 804-638-8358
I am a firefighter in Medicine Park, Oklahoma. I’ve had the honor of climbing for Matt in the Oklahoma City 9/11 memorial stair climb for the last two years. 343 of us climbed 110 flights of stairs in full bunker gear in honor of the firefighters that we lost. I plan to continue to climb in Matt’s honor and to never forget the 343.
– Emily CopeI had the pleasure of being Matt Garvey’s Platoon Sergeant when he was in 1st Battalion 3d Marines Regiment. Matt left the active duty ranks from there to continue a life of dedicated service. No one who knew Matt would be surprised to hear that he had died in active service for his fellow citizens. I thank God to have been able to say I served with the likes of Matt Garvey. Semper Fidelis
– Matthew WagnerI walked for you during the Green Bay stair climb. I think you ever year on September 11. Thanks for your service.
– Angela SprangersI never had the chance to meet Matt, this Saturday I will be climbing 110 floors in his honor in San Diego at the 9/11 memorial stair climb. I will hold my head High in honor of this great man !! Much love to the friends and family !!
– Chris GallagherToday, I ran in honor of Matthew D. Garvey in “Run for the Fallen” in WI. It was a true honor to race in his name and to honor a hero. My God Bless his friends and family. Thank you Matthew for your service. It was an honor to run for you today.
– Samantha DonohoueToday, 9/7/19, I climbed 22 stores, 7 times each, 152 steps, at the Wells Fargo Towers Bank Building in Roanoke, Va In memory of a brave hero, Matthew D. Garvey. My prayers are for his family, May God’s love continue to surround you going forward and I am thankful for Matthew’s service. ….. Karizma Wofford, age 12
– Karizma WoffordI had the honor of climbing for Matthew Garvey in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Columbus Ohio this past weekend. Never forgotten.
– Morgan MitchellI served under you at 6th Comm Battalion. You were exceptional and it was a pleasure to serve under you. God Bless you and Semper Fi!
– Al CaceresToday I think of Matthew Garney as I particpate in a Memorial Stair Climb in Wallace, ID. Thank you for your service and blessings to your family.
– T.LehtoMy son and I walked the 110 floors in a memorial climb in State College, PA today and wore his badge. God Bless his family.
– Lani ChongMatt was one of my Drill Instructors in FDNY Probie School in the Summer of 2001. We were with him the week before 9/11. Continued Rest In Peace Matt.
– Marc DoreMatt Garvey was a magnificent Marine with whom I was fortunate to serve. As his commanding officer at 2nd ANGLICO, I thought he was a Marine of unlimited potential and I tried very hard to convince him to make the Marine Corps his career, but he had a goal that he wanted to achieve and that was to become a firefighter with the Fire Department of New York City. He promised me he would stay in the Marine Corps Reserve which he did and was a Gunnery Sergeant at the time of his passing. A true Renaissance man, Matt inspired all who knew him. I still can’t believe he is gone. A true American hero. RIP and God Bless you brother warrior!
– Mike WillsShortly after 9/11 my company handed out cards with names of people who died at the World Trade Center that day so we could remember and pray for those who were lost and their families. Matthew’s name was on my card. I never had the honor of knowing him, but have visited his placard at Ground Zero and have run the Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Towers event / fundraiser in NYC in his name. Matthew, thank you for your sacrifice ❤️
– Lisa Lusby-WhiteGySgt Garvey and I served together at 6th Comm, Alpha Company, Amityville, NY. I was the I-I Corpsman and Gunny would accompany me when we had our Marines hospitalized for various reasons. He always took care of his Marines.
– Patrick SotoMy city of Bonita Springs Florida had a memorial today and there where over 300 flags for the 300 firefighters that lost there lives due to 9/11. I happens to pull out Matthew Garvey so I Looked him up and I found this and I think he was Really cool. RIP
– Tyson PetersI never met Matthew but had the privilege of running for him today in the Tunnel to Towers run in Swansboro, NC right outside of Camp Lejeune. SEMPER FI Gunny! R.I.P.
– Bryan CarsonMatt you rotated thru L136 had a few jobs with you. You were cool RIP. Doug Wilson L136
– Doug WilsonI had the honor of climbing in Matt’s memory this year at the 2021 9/11 memorial stair climb in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I was assigned his ID card at the beginning of the climb, I am in the military and a group of 500 of us climbed together in remembrance. My thoughts and prayers are with Matt’s friends and family.
– Kate BenitezMatt Met when you rotated through L-136&E287. You were a cool guy. Doug Wilson
– Doug WilsonHey man – I have a tag with your photo on it from a 9/11 tribute. We accomplished all 114 fights with added weight. FYI you’re tag is going to summit Mount Rainier once more! Date of climb is tbt. Hooah ~
– Yours TrulyI had the honor of walking for Matt today in Green Bay at the 911 Memorial Stair Climb. I am so thankful for his service and will never forget.
– Gina HomanMatt was a wonderful man. He was kind and a good neighbor…Thank you so much for your service and your sacrifice…I pray for your family and think of you every 9/11.
– Michelle BrandaSergeant Garvey was our Sgt while I was with 1st BN 3rd Marines between 1990-1992. I met Sgt. Garvey in Saudia Arabia after I met my unit in-country before the invasion. I learned a lot from him as a new PFC and new to the Marine Corps. Of all the brave men and women I served alongside, I was not surprised to learn that Sgt. Garvey chose another challenge which was to be an FDNY Firefighter. If Sgt. Garvey was not reading, Sgt. Garvey was out PT’ing every single day. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Semper Fi.
– George TorresSeptember 9,2023 I was apart of the stair climb at discovery Park of America in Union City TN, they gave me 343 memorial cards to pick from and for some reason I picked Matthew D. Garvey I carried 1 1/2 in 25ft hose and full gear and pack up 13 flights of stairs 10 times to equal the World Trade Center climb one time. I am grateful to be a part of the climb and every time I wanted to quit I thought of Matthew and just knew I couldn’t quit. I only made it 3 times up with the hose out of the 10 but the whole time I was in full gear. Thank you for your sacrifice and you will never be forgotten
– Bruce GuffeyMatt we served at 6th Comm Bon in the Bronx and Amityville. I was I-I Staff Radio Chief.
– SSGT Dale W. Davis (Retired)I retired in 1997 and was always impressed with Matt’s devotion to his Family and the Corps!
SEMPER FI
On 9.9.23, I was part of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin (home of the Green Bay Packers) Thank you to Pierce Manufacturing Inc. for putting on this special event. I was honored to represent Matthew David Garvey, Firefighter, Elite Squad 1 Unit, based in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I thought of his bravery, not only for that day, but how he served our country as a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines and as a Squad Leader in 2nd Anglico. With every step, I reflected on all his accomplishments and how he was awarded several medals from the Navy and Marine Corps. I was honored to have climbed in memory of him, his family, and his Troop. He was a true hero that sacrificed his life. For all the other 342 firefighters and all the other people that never made it out of the Twin Towers that day – you will NEVER EVER be forgotten!
– Betsy F.I had the privilege to do the 2023 San Diego 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Sergeant Garvey’s honor. He devoted his life to serving others as a member of our nation’s military and as a fire fighter. I hope his dedication to duty and his ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten!
– Jason Howell