Col. Herbert B. Mattingly
December 20, 1920 ~ April 28, 2013
Colonel Herbert B. Mattingly (U.S. Army, Retired), 92, of Glasgow, Kentucky, died Sunday, April 28, 2013, at the Western Kentucky Veteran’s Center in Hanson, Kentucky.
He was the son of the late Albert Begley Mattingly and Margie Claybrooke Mattingly. Survivors are three sons: Herbert B. Mattingly, Jr. of Glasgow, Edward A. Mattingly of Houston, Texas, and Charles C. Mattingly (Beth) of Knoxville, Tennessee; three daughters: Ann M. Bertrand of Glasgow, Mary Elliott (Tommy) of Glasgow, and Sue M. Smith (Jamie) of Columbia, Kentucky; seven grandchildren: Laura B. Johnson (John), Teresa Bertrand, Robert “Bobby” Bertrand, III, Brookes Mattingly, Sabel Mattingly, Emma Mattingly, and Brittain Mattingly. Also surviving is one sister, Della Jean Skaggs, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jane Abell Mattingly, and four sisters: Pearl Schaeg, Isabel Goff, Elizabeth Clarkson, and Peyton Matthews, and two brothers: Roy Mattingly and Freeman Mattingly.
Colonel Mattingly was born in Washington County, Kentucky, on December 20, 1920, and was a 1939 graduate of Springfield High School, where he was a star player on both the football and basketball teams.
Upon graduating from high school, he was employed by the A and P Grocery Store in Springfield, Kentucky. Other civilian jobs include work at Hubbard’s Restaurant, which he co-owned, and automobile sales at Nally and Mudd Pontiac Company, both in Springfield.
Colonel Mattingly was a veteran of the U.S. Army and the Kentucky National Guard. He served in World War II as a tank commander in the 44th Tank Battalion in the Pacific Theater including New Guinea, as well as Leyte and Luzon in the Philippines. He participated in the liberation of the civilian detainees at Santo Tomas University in Manila, Philippines, and also served as part of the Occupational Forces in Tokyo and Yokohama, after the Japanese surrender. During this duty, he received the Purple Heart, among numerous other medals.
Colonel Mattingly became a commissioned officer in 1948, and was assigned to the 623rd Field Artillery of the Kentucky National Guard. Having been called to active duty in late 1950, he served in the Korean War, where he received the Bronze Star Medal.
In 1962, Colonel Mattingly was assigned to active duty at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia, with the National Guard Bureau. During the Vietnam War era, he served as a National Guard Liaison Officer at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
In 1972, Colonel Mattingly became an area director for the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Division of Civil Defense, based in Bowling Green and Glasgow, Kentucky. He retired in 1985.
Receiving of friends will be at Hatcher and Saddler Funeral Home in Glasgow, Kentucky, on Wednesday, May 1, at 3 p.m., with a prayer vigil at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Glasgow, on Thursday, May 2, at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, at a later date.
Mr. & Mrs. Mattingly lived beside me for several years when they lived on Wedgewood. They were both very sweet. I remember the time Mrs. Mattingly got on H.B. when he climbed the ladder and started cleaning out the gutters. She was afraid he would fall. They were a sweet and funny couple. May God bless each of you & carry you through this in His grace and comfort.
Uncle Pete loved the Army! He and my Dad used to talk about the ups and downs of military life and we all loved getting together at Grandmother Mattingly’s at Springfield, where he was a past Master at identifying the makes and models of the cars passing by. He was the consummate military man, dressed immaculately, congenial, organized, logical, honest and true, and also had a fine sense of humor. I can picture him and Aunt Jane Ellen laughing and talking with the rest of the family about the old days and researching the family history. Aunt Jane Ellen was totally honest and outspoken and would tell you just what she thought, and she and Uncle Pete raised their children with loving humor. Uncle Pete was a treasure and our hearts go out to the rest of the family and friends at this time of loss but knowing we will all be together again some day.
Col. Mattingly was a great soldier and a wonderful person. We served in Korea together in the 623Rd Field Artillery Battalion…The local National Guard Unit.
H..B was a fine man, always a gentleman. He obviously was a great husband to my Aunt Jane as well as a great father to their children. He will be sorely missed by all.
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Sue I am so sorry for your loss, I know it is not easy but we know they are in a better place and will not have to suffer. I am so sorry I will not be able to attend the services as I have teachers working on projects this week. Your father served his family and country well. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all today and the days ahead. Your friend, and college home management house bud, Reeca
While Herb Mattingly served as the Area 2 Coordinator for the KY Div of Disaster & Emergency Services (KYDES), I was the Area 3 KYDES Coordinator in Owensboro in the 1970s and 80s. He was a man of integrity, honor and practical sense who I highly respected for his outstanding civilian and military service to the Commonwealth and to the nation. As a former colleague and as a friend, I shall miss him but will always remember his example as an effective leader who fervently supported the efforts of first responders. May God comfort you in your loss.
Jerry Mansfield
Member, Kentucky Emergency Response Commission