Archibald Mathies
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| Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies
United States Army Air Corps |
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|---|---|
| June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944 (aged 25) | |
  Sergeant Archibald Mathies, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Place of birth | Stonehouse, Scotland |
| Place of death | KIA over Leipzig, Germany |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1940-1944 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Unit | 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Archibald Mathies (1918-1944) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor as an enlisted member of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Childhood
Born June 3, 1918, in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, he emigrated with his parents to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
[edit] Military career
SSgt. Archibald Mathies enlisted in the Regular Army on Dec. 30, 1940, at Pittsburgh, Penn. He was attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit Wing, and later assigned to the 36th Air Base Group, Maxwell Field, Ala. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred to the 31st School Squadron, Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941. He then was attached to the 36th School Squadron, Chanute Field, Ill., where he attended the Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on Oct. 1, 1941.
He departed Chanute Field and proceeded to Mitchel Field, N.Y., where he served with the 1st Air Support Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group. He was transferred as a member of the 33d Pursuit Group to Morris Field, N.C., on Dec. 4, 1941. On Feb. 6, 1943, he was attached to the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Fla., and completed the course in aerial gunnery on March 22, 1943. He then returned to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Service Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned to the 73d Observation Group at Godman Field, Ky. On April 14, 1943, he joined the 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Field. From July 25 to Sept. 7, 1943, he was attached to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from Sept 15 to Nov. 22, 1943, he served with the 796th Bombardment Squadron at Alexandria, La.
He departed the United States on Dec. 8, 1943, and arrived in England on Dec. 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force Replacement Depot Casual Pool and was subsequently attached to the 1st Replacement and Training Squadron until Jan. 18, 1944. On Jan. 19, he was assigned to the 510th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group, and served with that organization as an Engineer-Gunner until Feb 20.
On his second mission, Feb. 20, 1944, SSgt. Mathies participated in a heavy bombardment attack on enemy installations at Leipzig, Germany. During this raid his ship was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters, and he was killed in action. For his heroism and devotion to his comrades on that date, he was awarded the nation's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. On January 19, 1944, he was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group, based at RAF Polebrook, England, as an Engineer-Gunner.He was promoted to staff sergeant Feb. 17, l944, and three days later, on his second mission, lost his life while flying, in a heavy bomb attack on enemy installations at Leipzig Germany, for which he received the Medal of Honor.
(Taken from U.S. Air Force Biography)[1]
[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] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Freeman, Roger A. The Mighty Eighth (1993 edition), (p. 270). ISBN 0-87938-638-X
