Bonus Two

Keeping it in the Clinch, Jim - Day 22, Sunday, July 22, 1962

We reviewed the essential techniques for the first two hours. Then we learned about hand and arm clinches. We broke for lunch. At 1:00 PM we practiced hand and arm clinches. As 2:00 PM began to approach we accumulated an extra 100 spectators, but nowhere near the crowd from the day before. We were sitting on short stools in our appropriate corners. The buzzer sounded. The referee motioned us to the center of the mat. Ronald and I extended a Thai Wye. The ref said, "Begin." I noticed my opponent had something protruding from his pants. After a minute of blocking each others kicks and hits, he pulls out a rubber practice knife. The blade is covered with red ink. If it touches me with the blade, it would leave a red mark indicating a cut or a stab, and I would lose the match.

He thrusts the rubber knife at me twice. I impeded it each time. I noticed a paused about two seconds longer than he needed before retreating. On the third attempt I put his hand in a hand clinch. He dropped the knife to the floor. The palm of his hand was touching the underside of his arm. He was in excruciating pain. He slapped his hip several times and said 'Khun pen Lak.' The Ref stopped the match. I released the hand clinch before it did any permanent damage. The Ref took my right hand and Ronald's left hand. He raised my right arm upwards signifying that I had won the bout.

I thanked Ronald for the contest! I told him I appreciated the experience, and I had learned much today. He grinned and wished me the best.

Several spectators shook my hand and commended me on doing a good job. 'JEOPARDY' said, "Don't tell me you just acquired that skill today." "Yes, in fact I did learn that technique today!" "You are like a sponge, soaking up everything you need to use!" I didn't want to expose how dumb I was to believe a lie for nine years nor how trusting I was.

Jim - Day 23, Monday, July 23, 1962

I hesitated completing a hit allowing my opponent to put me in an arm clinch behind my back. The pain was awful. I slapped my hip and yelled, "Khun pen Lak." I lost the match because I delayed acting for one second. "'JEOPARDY' said do you know where you went wrong?" "Yes Sir, I was slower by one second than I needed to be and my opponent made good use of that second." "Good, you are grasping what you need to do to avoid that mistake in the future. Whatever you do in life, you will be great." I said, "Thanks, I needed that affirmation, more than you realize. I never would have suspected that the FFF would change my life, but it has. It has caused me to think clearer. I don't blame myself. I don't blame any one."

'THE BEAST' A Great No-Win – Sunday, July 29, 1962

Day 24 and 25 were declared no win days. In other words a no-win means a draw or a tie. Day 26 and 27 I won based on the judge's decision. Day 28 was a win. Day 29 was scheduled in the arena at Ft Dix. My rival was 'THE BEAST.' He was ranked #25 in the professional standings of the FFF.

The arena was not as full as the first time I fought there. Maybe 300 onlookers were present. 'JEOPARDY' and about twenty other FFF ranked fighters were in attendance. I won the first round by the judges' decision. 'THE BEAST' came out hitting and kicking so fast that I was becoming drained. He jerked his arm back preparing for a punch that I knew I could not defend myself against. Then I heard a snap. His arm came down to his side. He could not move it. He was in deep pain.

Evidently, he had dislocated his arm from his shoulder. The Ref stopped the match. I was declared the winner. I went crazy. I shook my head and waved my hands and shouted, "I cannot accept this win. I did not earn it. If 'THE BEAST' would have completed that punch, I would have been knocked out! I call this bout a no-win."

'JEOPARDY' came into the ring with the announcer's mike and stated, "Today we have witnessed a great display of fair play! The top FFF fighters and I have decided that we need to bend the rules for the bout today and honor Lieutenant Colonel Matthew's request and declare it a no-win." The judges nodded their heads in agreement. The audience went wild in affirmation and rendered a standing ovation for me aka 'FURIOUS.'

I knew that was the right decision. Rankings did not mean anything to me. My hope and prayers were that 'THE BEAST' would be alright, and be able to fight again. The important thing being these fights were just a game. I do not want to hurt someone. My heart would not be able to stand it.

Graduation Day – Monday, July 30, 1962,

Graduation Day – 10:00 AM: Each trainee received a certificate of completion. 'JEOPARDY' said, "We want to celebrate three individuals who have gone beyond learning the principles and techniques of FFF and are declared as Masters of FFF and recognized as such from this day forward. I thought that maybe I would be selected as a master of FFF. When the individuals were selected, I was a little disappointed that I did not receive a Masters Certificate.

'JEOPARDY' continued, "I am not quite through yet. I am requesting that you hold your applause until I am finished. We have a special person in our midst. His Commander said he is receiving his Branch of service Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He is receiving a certificate as the top student in FFF training program world-wide. Finally, he has been nominated and elected by secret ballot from the top 100 fighters and Grand Masters of FFF to receive the distinction and elevation to Grand Master of Professional Fear-Fists-Feet Society with a ranking of #11. To my knowledge this is the first time this has happened in a class of trainees. I respectfully recognize and present to you, Lieutenant Colonel James L. Matthews, for these honors. Give it up for, Grand Master Matthews." The applause and cheering was loud as the trainees and instructors rose to their feet. I was amazed and humbled by my previous thoughts. A warm sensation surged through my body. I felt vindicated. I was a man in the fullest sense.

'JEOPARDY' said, "Jim, would you like to say a few words," "I don't know if I can keep it to a few words, but I do want to say, Thank you, everyone!" I was...

'JEOPARDY' presented me with a new Air Force blue robe with gold trim. On the back it read:

'FURIOUS' Grand Master

That night I slept well except for a dream. It was weird. It was a graphically erotic dream about Leslie, the woman I had turned down. I woke up with a smile. It was still dark about 3:00 AM. I went back to sleep, shame-faced, with a frown.

My thoughts would reflect back on what I saw that night at my house. The pain was still present, but the intensity and frequency was a little milder. The fighting and preparation had a mellowing effect. Perhaps the transfer to Thailand would help even more.

Jim - Monday, October 1, 1962, 0930 hours

I was in South Hampton having coffee at the Downtown Diner when Steve came in. Steve came over to where I was sitting and said, "Can I talk with you for a moment? I promise you no trouble." "OK." Steve said, "Come on outside by my truck. It will not take long." I followed him out hoping I would not have to fight Steve. The aches were strong.

I arrived at Steve's truck. He said, "I know that I screwed you over and I do not deserve your forgiveness. I want you to know that I am sorry. Susan did not deserve you, and I let the facade go on far too long. I am a bum, but you are destined to make something out of your life. I am sorry man." Then he began to bawl. My heart sank and I said, "Thank you Steve."

I left South Hampton and reported back at McGuire to pick up the plane I was going to fly to Thailand. On the way to Thailand, I would make a number of stops to either pick up or drop off supplies or Air Force personnel.

I reminisced about the fraud of my marriage. Several, so called, friends said Susan had been sleeping around in high school and in college and she only slept with me after she knew she was pregnant. I realized I was a chump. It hurt because I really thought Susan loved me, but she was using me the whole time. I not only felt dumb, but I felt used and resented those nine years.

I reflected on my college career. With majors in science and business and minors in law and construction, I was in the Air Force ROTC all four years of college, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. I was lucky to be stationed at McGuire Air Force Base.

Upon completing flight school transport training, I was promoted to First Lieutenant. I wanted to become a fighter pilot. However, I was assigned to a transport unit in the Material Air Transport Service, later to become the Military Airlift Command. My illustrious career continued after being assigned to a co-pilot position where my unit flew C-130's. Later I became pilot and was given the rank of Major.

I was one of those rare persons who hungered to learn new things. McGuire was near several universities. Therefore, I took courses offered on and off base. Further degrees were acquired in engineering, architecture and law, culminating in receiving a Masters degree in business and a Doctorate in military and civil law. I received training in FFF and was elevated to Grand Master shortly before leaving McGuire. I received recognition as one of the most notable officers in the April 1962 edition of The Air Force Times. If I had not made the transfer request in 1962 I probably would have remained at McGuire Air Force Base until retirement. With the stops and lay overs I arrived at Don Muang on October 4, 1962. I was glad to escape inquiries about a failed marriage. In Thailand maybe I would find be a new life away from all the memories and pain.

Tuk Tuk