Matthew was born on December 27, 1983. He loved music, vampire novels, and making those around him laugh until they cried. Matthew entered the Army on February 17, 2004. He attended Basic Combat Training and 19D Cavalry Scout Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He reported to Ft. Hood, Texas on June 29, 2004. He was assigned to 3rd Batallion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). After a month, he was reassigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, where he served as an M1068 Standard Integrated Command Post System Carrier driver, Advanced Battle Command Systems Operator, and Radio Telephone Operator in the Brigade Tactical Operations Center.

Matthew deployed to Iraq in November 2005, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07, and conducted missions throughout the 2nd Brigade area of operations, south of Baghdad. On April 25, 2006, he was reassigned to Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, at Forward Operating Base Charlie. In May, he moved north with Troop to Forward Operating Base Falcon. His primary duty position was as a gunner with qualifications for the JAVELIN medium antitank assault weapon system.

On July 16th, Matthew's Bradley Fighting Vehicle was overtaken by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He was treated at the field hospital down range and transported to Balad for stabilization. Once this was accomplished, he was transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. His family flew to his side and he passed on July 21, 2006 in the presence of those who loved him most.

Matthew's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge, and the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge. In addition, he was awarded the Cavalry Scout spurs and Stetson.

He was the son of Keith M. and Mary Bopp Wallace of Lexington Park, MD.

In addition to his parents he is survived by three sisters, Jessica M. Wallace, Abigail E. Wallace, Micah E. Wallace and a maternal grandmother Elizabeth M. Bopp of Portsmouth, VA.

Matthew is dearly missed and will always be loved.