Archibald Mathies

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Archibald Mathies
June 3, 1918 - February 20, 1944
 
Sergeant Archibald Mathies, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Stonehouse, Scotland
Place of death KIA over Leipzig, Germany
Allegiance USAAF
Years of service 1940-1944
Rank Sergeant
Unit 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Medal of Honor

Archibald Mathies (1918-1944) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor as an enlisted member of the U.S. Army Air Forces during the Second World War.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Childhood

Born June 3, 1918, in Stonehouse, Scotland, he emigrated with his parents to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Military Career

He enlisted in the Regular Army on December 30, 1940, served in the Headquarters of the 8th Pursuit Wing and the 36th Air Base Group, at Maxwell Field, Alabama, then was transferred On March 5, 1941 to the 31st School Squadron, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He then attended the Airplane Mechanic School, Chanute Field, Illinois, graduating October 1, 1941. At Mitchel Field, New York, he served with the 1st Air Support Command and the 33d Pursuit Group. On February 6, 1943, he was attached to the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Florida, and completed the course in aerial gunnery on March 22, 1943. He served in a variety of squadrons in Kentucky, Texas, and Louisiana until December 8, 1943, when he was sent to the Eighth Air Force in England as a replacement gunner. On January 19, 1944, he was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group, based at RAF Polebrook, England, as an Engineer-Gunner.

[edit] Medal of Honor mission

On his second combat mission, on 20 February 1944, Sergeant Mathies participated in an attack on Leipzig, Germany. During this raid, along with 2d Lt. Walter E. Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, he was killed in action and awarded the Medal of Honor.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy-occupied Europe on 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving as flight engineer and ball turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters with the result that the co-pilot was killed outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged. Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members of the crew managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home station, where they contacted the control tower and reported the situation. Sgt. Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving Sgt. Mathies and the navigator aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and parachute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed courage and heroism, Sgt. Mathies and the navigator replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and they would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a landing. After two unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field in a third attempt to land. Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, and the wounded pilot were killed.

[edit] References

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