Leonard Wilfred Matter was born on August 5, 1917, in Decorah, Iowa. He was the son of John Alvin Matter and Emma Mae Stoskopf Matter. He was married to Carol Jean Simonson Matter. He served in the 782nd Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-24 #44-41011, nicknamed "Fast Number" during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, the 'Fast Number' took off from Pantanella Airfield in Cerignola, Italy, on a mission to bomb the steel plant at Friedrichshafen, Germany. After completing the bombing run, the aircraft was attacked by German fighters during the return flight over Tyrol, Austria. Fast Number was struck by 20mm cannon fire from a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 flown by an unknown pilot of Jagdgeschwader 3, causing catastrophic damage. The bomber exploded in mid-air, killing several crew members instantly, and the others managed to bail out and were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

2Lt Matter successfully bailed out of the aircraft, was captured, and was held as a prisoner of war in Germany. In his civilian life, he operated Matter’s Ballroom north of Decorah. He died on January 16, 1993, and is now buried in the Locust Cemetery, Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, iagenweb.org, 465th.org