Boule was killed in a helicopter crash in Karbala April 2, 2003. The youngest of four children, he adored his nine nieces and nephews, his mother said. He had signed up for the Army after talking over his future with his dad, a former Marine. "He loved his work and he loved his birds," meaning the Black Hawk helicopters, his mother said. "Mathew always said to me, 'Ma, send goodies. There are a lot of guys here who don't get mail. Whatever you send won't go to waste."' After his death, the town of Dracut dedicated a 45-acre open space in his name.