Racine man decides to "do something" about ISIS

RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- A video features the words of Jordan Matson, A Racine County man believed to be fighting against ISIS in Syria.

The Sturtevant native says he joined forces with Kurdish fighters, and a spokesman for that army says Matson was wounded in battle.

"I am from Wisconsin in the United States. I was previously a soldier in the United States Army," said Matson.

In an interview, the 28-year-old explains why he left Wisconsin to join the Kurdish people's protection units, known as YPG.

"I got sick of everyone saying how bad it was but doing nothing about it so I made up my own mind to come over here and do something about it," said Matson.

A spokeswoman for the State Department was vague when asked about Matson.

"We're certainly aware of those reports. Due to privacy concerns, we can't comment further on it," said a State Department spokeswoman.

A Facebook post from an account appearing to be Matson's, states he was hit by a mortar during a six-hour firefight, but is fine. Using some colorful language, he also claims to have killed an ISIS fighter.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for the YPG posted on Twitter that Matson was injured in clashes against ISIS.

Matson's Facebook profile indicated he graduated from Case High School in Racine in 2005. FOX6 News efforts to reach Army Public Affairs Office was unsuccessful on Saturday -- but according to various reports, Matson served in the army from May 2006 through November of 2007.

FOX6 News was also unable to reach anyone at Matson's listed address.

In the online video, Matson says loved ones knew he was leaving to fight alongside the Kurds.

"When I told my family about my decision to come to Syria and Kurdistan to fight against ISIS, at first they were very concerned because they didn't want any harm to come to me, but they soon came to understand why I went," said Matson.

According to court records, Matson pleaded guilty in 2012 to charges of operating a firearm while intoxicated. In August of 2013, he was sentenced to one year of probation.

In the online video, Matson says he left for Iraq two weeks ago, before settling in with Kurdish fighters in Syria.