First Lieutenant John Ryan Matthews is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps in May 2022, having completed his undergraduate education degree from the Pennsylvania State University.
In October of 2022, Second Lieutenant Matthews checked into The Basic School (TBS). Upon graduating TBS in May of 2023, he checked into Landing Support Company, 2d Landing Support Battalion to conduct on-the-job-training before reporting to the Logistics Officer Course in Camp Johnson, North Carolina in June 2023. Upon completion of Logistics Officer Course in September 2023, he checked back into his unit to serve as the 2nd Platoon Commander of Landing Support Company.
In December 2023, Second Lieutenant Matthews was assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Norway. While deployed to Norway, he served as the Officer in Charge of a Marine Corps Prepositioning Site until April 2024.
In May 2024, First Lieutenant Matthews was assigned as the Company Executive Officer of Littoral Distribution Company, 2d Distribution Support Battalion until he received orders to the Command Element, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to fulfill an individual augmentation billet.
From November 2024 to November 2025, First Lieutenant Matthews served as the Assistant Logistics Officer for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's SPMAGTF-ACM. During this time, he supported multiple MSE deployments and amphibious exercises to include Chesapeake 25 with members of the French Armed Forces and UNITAS 25 alongside Spanish, Moroccan, and South American partner nations.
From November 2025 to May 2026, First Lieutenant Matthews served as the Assistant Operations Officer of 2d Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2 where he was responsible for maritime logistics experimentation efforts and the planning of multiple deployments to various Combatant Commands.
Since May 2026, First Lieutenant Matthews has been serving as the Inspector – Instructor of Truck Company Detachment, 25th Marine Regiment and Site Commander of Home Training Center, Folsom, Pennsylvania.