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1/Lt John P. Mattfeldt graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1938. From there he went to Millard’s and won a presidential appointment in 1940. He entered West Point Academy in July 1940.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star Medal posthumously.

The citation of his Distinguished Service Cross stated: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company M, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 14 April 1945. When his machine gun platoon was halted by enemy fire during an assault on Schildgen, Germany, and the section leader and a gunner were killed, Lieutenant Mattfeldt unhesitatingly took over the operation of the gun, and, rallying his men behind him, so effectively fired upon the enemy positions that his riflemen were able to reach a place of safety and reorganize. Seizing a rocket launcher, he then effectively reduced two enemy strongpoints, thus permitting the attack to continue. First Lieutenant Mattfeldt's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 97th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The citation of his Silver Star Medal stated: First Lieutenant John P. Mattfeldt, Company M, 387th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy. On an assault on the city of Eger, Czechoslovakia on 25 April 1945, Lieutenant Mattfeldt, commanding a platoon of machine guns attached to the leading elements of the assault forces, came under heavy enemy fire from two nearby strong points. Putting his gun into operation, Lieutenant Mattfeldt forced the withdrawal of the enemy troops and continued the advance across a ravine in the face of enemy machine gun fire for a distance of 75 yards. He entered the city with the first troops and encountered heavy fire which halted the advance. Fearlessly moving ahead of the riflemen, Lieutenant Mattfeldt placed heavy fire on the enemy while moving down a fire swept street. Deploying his guns at an important intersection Lieutenant Mattfeldt was killed by a sudden burst of fire from concealed enemy positions.