Vietnam war hero, rodeo star Mattocks to enter Hall of Fame

Content contributed by Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame

Menifee resident Lynn Mattocks, a highly decorated Marine Corps veteran and well-known rodeo cowboy, will be one of six people inducted into the first class of the Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

The event will take place Oct. 26 at the Ramada Hotel & Convention Center Down in Topeka, Kansas. Mattocks will be inducted for his Bareback Riding talents displayed over the years at rodeos and other events.

A longtime resident of Menifee, Mattocks served three tours in Vietnam. He was involved in the efforts to incorporate Menifee as a City. He has ridden in many area holiday parades and was presented a Patriot Award by the Menifee Action Group in 2015. He served as a member of the Riverside County Trails Committee, working with the Bureau of Land Management regarding land use and the proper designation of trails for public use.

“I am so tickled to be honored this way,” Mattocks said. “It’s nice to know that someone appreciates the sacrifices that our veterans make and wants to honor those who were involved in military rodeo.”

The Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, founded this year, has a mission to honor significant achievements or contributions by individuals in the sport of military rodeo. Inductees must have been a member of the U.S. Armed Forces as active duty, retired, active/inactive reserve or Guard component and competed in military rodeos, or civilians who have made significant contributions supporting military rodeos.

Mattocks, 83, was born and raised in ranch country. From his earliest days in Grenola, Kansas, he was involved in breaking horses and working with livestock. During high school, Mattocks entered his first rodeo and won the Bull Riding competition. He competed at Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) rodeos throughout the Midwest in Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955.

Mattocks was a Counterintelligence Specialist during his 30-year career in the Marines. The intense training and constant temporary assignments made it difficult for him to rodeo as much as he would like to. Even so, he still found a way even after being wounded in Vietnam and receiving a Purple Heart.

He is a highly decorated Marine who even worked as the handler for the famous war horse SSgt. Reckless during her retirement years at Camp Pendleton.

From 1955 through 1981, Mattocks went to as many rodeos as possible. While stationed in Hawaii, he won the Hawaii Rodeo Association Bareback Riding title twice and also the Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding titles. Once back at Camp Pendleton, he earned eight military rodeo titles in Bareback Riding, three titles in Bull Riding and one in Saddle Bronc Riding. Throughout his rodeo career, he would work any event if cowboys were needed and despite his small size competed in Steer Wrestling and the Wild Horse Races. At times, he found himself working as a bullfighter and rodeo announcer.

When MSgt Mattocks retired from the military, he didn’t walk away from anything. Mattocks represented Flying U Rodeo Company in Southern California, helping produce many rodeos. He continued to work with the Military Rodeo Cowboys Association as head of judging.

Mattocks said two of his proudest endeavors were the years he worked with the Make a Wish Foundation and being a founding board member for the Manzanita Ranch, which provides rehabilitation for veterans suffering from PTSD.

This story originally appeared in the Menifee 24/7 Sept. 1 newspaper. To enjoy more stories, photos and features like this, pick up a copy at local businesses or click on the Print Edition link on our website to subscribe.

Lynn Mattocks was presented the Patriot Award by Menifee officials in 2015 for his service to the community.