Captain Benjamin J. Matson is a native of Bloomington, Indiana. The second son of four children, he grew up in several towns throughout the Midwest including Columbus, Indiana, Batavia, Illinois, and Muskego, Wisconsin as his father transferred locations for business opportunities. He finished high school at Heritage Christian in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2010. While attending high school Captain Matson ran cross country and wrestled.
On 1 July 2010, Captain Matson reported with the oncoming plebe class of 2014 to the United States Naval Academy. He was a part of 20th Company and majored in history during his time at Navy. Captain Matson officially joined the Navy Boxing Team his sophomore year training with the squad. He became a Brigade Boxing Champion his senior year in 2014 and participated in the NCBA national tournament in the spring of 2014. Captain Matson graduated on 27 May 2014 and commissioned into the Marines as a second lieutenant.
Captain Matson’s was first stationed at the Naval Academy under Temporary Assigned Duty where he taught boxing and martial arts to the incoming freshman while waiting for his class at The Basic School (TBS). He picked up at TBS with Golf Company 7-14, completing the course and then picked up with Infantry Officers Course 3-15 that spring. After completing his requisite schools, Captain Matson was assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines and stationed in Camp Lejeune.
Upon his arrival at his new duty station, Captain Matson took command of 2nd Platoon and conducted his first workup and eventual deployment to Okinawa, Japan from 2015-2016. During his time with his rifle platoon, Captain Matson underwent Marine Advisors Course, Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft Coxswains Course, and Winter Mountain Leaders Course. He was promoted to first lieutenant during this tour. Upon returning from deployment, Captain Matson took over the battalion’s 81mm mortar platoon. He again underwent a workup and eventual Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. During his time with “81’s”, Captain Matson completed Infantry Mortar Leaders Course, Fire Support Coordination Center Course, and Financial Management Officer Course. He was promoted to his current rank during this time and was selected for career designation.
After finishing his time with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Captain Matson was assigned as an instructor to TBS. He began his time at Marine Corps Base Quantico in the Bullpen as a primary instructor for the FEX II package covering platoon offensive and defensive operations. He was then re-tasked with the command of Combat Instructor Battalion’s Weapon’s Platoon, where he oversaw the planning and execution of all mortar, machinegun, and rocket fire for the multiple school houses under the TBS umbrella. Captain Matson was eventually selected as a Staff Platoon Commander for Fox Company 6-20 where he led a platoon of lieutenants through Basic Officers Course. Upon completion of this assignment, he served as the TBS Protocol Officer until he transitioned out of active duty in August of 2021.
Returning to service in September of 2023, Captain Matson joined Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines where he was initially tasked as the Fire Support Team (FST) Leader and eventually stood up the company’s weapons platoon. He participated as the FST Lead and Weapons Platoon Commander in ITX 4-24. Upon his completion, he was selected for command of the company and took charge in October 2024.