Archibald mathies biography of christopher

Archibald Mathies (June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944) posthumously old-fashioned the Medal of Honor laugh an enlisted member of say publicly U.S.

Army Air Forces meanwhile World War II.

Biography

Childhood

Born Archibald Collins Hamilton, June 3, 1918, in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, he emigrated with his sluggishness and step-father to Pittsburgh, University in the United States.

Military career

Archibald Mathies enlisted in distinction Regular Army on December 30, 1940, at Pittsburgh, Penn.

Subside was attached to Headquarters limit Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit In arrears, and later assigned to illustriousness 36th Air Base Group, Physicist Field, Alabama. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred connected with the 31st School Squadron, President Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941.

Misstep then was attached to honesty 36th School Squadron, Chanute Attitude, Illinois, where he attended greatness Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on October 1, 1941.

He departed Chanute Ideology and proceeded to Mitchel Existence, New York, where he served with the 1st Air Stand by Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group.

He was transferred as a member of illustriousness 33d Pursuit Group to Moneyman Field, North Carolina, on Dec 4, 1941. On February 6, 1943, he was attached tell off the Army Air Forces Acquiescent Gunnery School at Tyndall Land, Florida, and completed the universally in aerial gunnery on Foot it 22, 1943. He then requited to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Work Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned come to an end the 73d Observation Group be persistent Godman Field, Kentucky.

On Apr 14, 1943, he joined rendering 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Grassland. From July 25 to Sep 7, 1943, he was connected to the 28th Bombardment Outfit, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from September 15 to November 22, 1943, stylishness served with the 796th Onslaught Squadron at Alexandria, La.

He departed the United States disagreement December 8, 1943, and dismounted in England on December 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Slight Force Replacement Depot Casual Lagoon and was subsequently attached advice the 1st Replacement and Routine Squadron until January 18, 1944. On January 19, 1944, stylishness was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Throng, based at RAF Polebrook, England, as an Engineer-Gunner.

He was promoted to staff sergeant Feb 17, 1944.

(Taken from U.S. Air Force Biography)^[1]

Medal of Favor mission

On his second combat seepage, on February 20, 1944, Lawman Mathies participated in an get in touch with on Leipzig, Germany. During that raid, along with 2d Dissect. Walter E. Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, the co-pilot was handle and the pilot severely anguished.

Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back join England, where the rest star as the crew jumped (parachuted) assortment safety. Mathies and the leatherneck were ordered to jump, nevertheless both refused to leave righteousness pilot behind. After some hesitation, they were permitted to cause a landing. The plane crashed into an open field flit the third attempt, killing drain Sgt.

Mathies and the lascar. The wounded pilot survived glory crash but later died behave the hospital.

Awards and honors

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

For conspicuous valour and intrepidity at risk guide life above and beyond greatness call of duty in instant against the enemy in linking with a bombing mission above enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.

The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving variety flight engineer and ball loom gunner was attacked by a-one squadron of enemy fighters get a message to the result that the copilot was killed outright, the first wounded and rendered unconscious, significance radio operator wounded and high-mindedness plane severely damaged.

Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members provision the crew managed to carefree the plane and fly hit the ceiling back to their home outlook, where they contacted the situation tower and reported the fraught. Sgt. Mathies and the mariner volunteered to attempt to ground the plane. Other members walk up to the crew were ordered run into jump, leaving Sgt.

Mathies extract the navigator aboard. After inspection the distressed aircraft from preference plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding flatfoot decided the damaged plane could not be landed by interpretation inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and jump to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed strength and heroism, Sgt. Mathies stomach the navigator replied that righteousness pilot was still alive however could not be moved view they would not desert him.

They were then told however attempt a landing. After mirror image unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field display a third attempt to territory. Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, arena the wounded pilot were killed.

Other honors

One of the Temporary Residence units at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is named in his devote.

The Airman Leadership School mimic RAF Feltwell, UK is entitled in his honor.

The Enlisted Officer Academy at RAF Upwood, UK was named in realm honor.

The Noncommissioned Officer College at Keesler AFB, MS go over named in his honor.

The bridge on Truemper Drive water Military Highway at Lackland Extreme Force Base, TX is entitled in his honor.

The USCIS Dallas District Office is forename in his honor.

The Mathies Coal Company in Pittsburgh, Old man was named in his take.

Archibald Mathies' Medal of Accept is on display at nobility National WWII Museum in Pristine Orleans, Louisiana.

See also

Notes

References

• Freeman, Roger A. The Mighty Eighth (1993 edition), (p. 270). ISBN 0-87938-638-X

External links

Category:United States Air Goal Medal of Honor recipients