US Marine from Bartlesville injured in fighting in Iraq

A US Marine from Oklahoma is recovering from injuries he suffered during an ambush in Fallujah. <br><br>His convoy was attacked by Iraqi insurgents. News on 6 anchor Craig Day talked with his mother

Wednesday, April 14th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A US Marine from Oklahoma is recovering from injuries he suffered during an ambush in Fallujah.

His convoy was attacked by Iraqi insurgents. News on 6 anchor Craig Day talked with his mother and sister in Bartlesville.

Toni Smith's week didn't get off to a very good start. A phone call early Monday morning got her attention. "He calls and starts his conversation out with, Mom I guess you know what has happened. And I said no Mathew I don't."

What had happened was what no mother wants to hear. Smith's son, Mathew Derryberry was in a Marine convoy when it was attacked in an ambush by insurgents in Fallujah. "They took some of the shrapnel out of his shoulder and said he would have to wait until he got back to the states to get the rest of it taken out."

Shrapnel hit his chest, but ricocheted off his body armor. It then ripped into his shoulder. Amanda Derryberry, Marine's Sister "My heart was beating so fast. It just makes you think like what could have happened. He really could be dead right now."

It's hard to imagine, but despite his injuries, Derryberry and 18 of his fellow marines also injured in the ambush are now back on duty. They are searching door to door for Iraqi insurgents. This will put them in harms way again and again.

But it's a mission Mathew and his family believes in. There is relief his injuries aren't more severe and a great deal of pride in his service. Toni Smith: "The Lord never puts something on you that you can't handle."

Craig Day says Mathew Derryberry is a third generation Marine. He might be able to come home in about five months.