WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill tonight to name the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, as the “Captain Matthew J. August Post Office.”

Rhode Island native Matthew J. August, a decorated U.S. Army Captain, was killed on January 27, 2004 while leading 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division attached to the 82nd Airborne on a mission outside Baghdad, Iraq when his convoy was ambushed and hit by improvised explosive devices and small arms fire from insurgents.

Captain August was just 28 years old when he was killed in action. 

U.S. Senator Jack Reed sponsored the bill in the Senate and Jim Langevin sponsored it in the House, and it was cosponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline.

Matthew August grew up in North Kingstown, went to Davisville Middle School and graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 1993 before attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduating in 1997.

During his career, Matthew earned the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal – with two oak leaves; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Army Service and Overseas Service ribbons.  He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medals; and Combat Action Badge.

“I’m pleased that Congress has recognized Matthew’s selfless service to community and country.  He was an extraordinary soldier and a proud son of Rhode Island,” said Senator Reed, a fellow West Point graduate.  “Dedicating this post office in his honor is a fitting and enduring tribute to Captain August’s courage, devotion, heroism, and sacrifice.”

Captain August is survived by his parents, Donna and Richard August; his older brother Brigadier General Mark R. August (USAF); and his younger sister, Melanie Cargilo.

Now that the bill has passed the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives it goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.