A V Corps soldier and Bronze Star recipient died in a motorcycle accident near Heidelberg, officials said Sunday.

Sgt. Maj. William A. Matlock, 43, of Malvern, Ark., served with battalion operations and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion at Patton Barracks in Heidelberg.

Matlock was riding his motorcycle on a road between Leimen and Gaiberg Wednesday night when he apparently lost control and hit a sign, according to a news release issued by V Corps.

German police and medical personnel responded but couldn’t save Matlock’s life. He was declared dead at the scene around 8:45 p.m. The accident is under investigation.

Matlock began his career in the Army in 1987 and joined V Corps in May 2005, officials say. He was deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo, participated in the Gulf War and completed two tours in Iraq, the last with V Corps headquarters last December.

He received the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; and medals for the conflicts in Kosovo and Iraq.

“By all accounts, he was a great senior noncommissioned officer/leader, devoted husband and proud father,” said Lt. Col. Charles “Ty” Connett, commander of the Special Troops Battalion.

Matlock’s colleagues say he loved sports, helping the unit’s basketball team win several tournaments. He also loved to teach and help people.

“Sgt. Matlock had a great attitude; a down-to-earth guy,” said Sgt. Troy R. Adams. “He was always there to lend a helping hand, and he loved his soldiers.”

He is survived by his wife Kimberly, two sons, and his mother and sister.

The details for a memorial service are pending.

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