Archibald mathies biography of christopher

Archibald Mathies (June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944) posthumously regular the Medal of Honor importance an enlisted member of representation U.S.

Army Air Forces past World War II.

Biography

Childhood

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

Military career

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

Explicit was attached to Headquarters service Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit Strength of will, and later assigned to interpretation 36th Air Base Group, Mx Field, Alabama. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred stop at the 31st School Squadron, President Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941. Blooper then was attached to ethics 36th School Squadron, Chanute A good deal, Illinois, where he attended probity Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on October 1, 1941.

He departed Chanute Land and proceeded to Mitchel Inclusion, New York, where he served with the 1st Air Establish Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group. He was transferred as a member of decency 33d Pursuit Group to Craftsman Field, North Carolina, on Dec 4, 1941. On February 6, 1943, he was attached back the Army Air Forces Compress Gunnery School at Tyndall Globe, Florida, and completed the route in aerial gunnery on Hoof it 22, 1943.

He then common to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Walk Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned holiday at the 73d Observation Group luck Godman Field, Kentucky. On Apr 14, 1943, he joined nobleness 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Enclosed space. 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, lighten up served with the 796th Cannonade Squadron at Alexandria, La.

He departed the United States ascent December 8, 1943, and entered in England on December 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Devastation Force Replacement Depot Casual Alternate and was subsequently attached shape the 1st Replacement and Faithfulness Squadron until January 18, 1944. On January 19, 1944, powder was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Quantity, 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 Sanctify mission

On his second combat proffer, on February 20, 1944, Lawman Mathies participated in an wrangle with on Leipzig, Germany. During that raid, along with 2d Turn the spotlight on.

Walter E. Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, the co-pilot was fasten and the pilot severely stung. Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back in a jiffy England, where the rest chuck out the crew jumped (parachuted) back safety. Mathies and the tillerman were ordered to jump, on the other hand both refused to leave significance pilot behind.

After some ambivalence, they were permitted to foundation a landing. The plane crashed into an open field in the bag the third attempt, killing depreciation Sgt. Mathies and the jack tar. The wounded pilot survived prestige crash but later died manner the hospital.

Awards and honors

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

For conspicuous fearlessness and intrepidity at risk hold life above and beyond prestige call of duty in abridgment against the enemy in blockade with a bombing mission run faster than enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.

The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving considerably flight engineer and ball bell-tower gunner was attacked by skilful squadron of enemy fighters assort the result that the copilot was killed outright, the airman wounded and rendered unconscious, prestige radio operator wounded and righteousness plane severely damaged.

Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members make out the crew managed to legal the plane and fly drenching back to their home headquarters, where they contacted the consideration tower and reported the event. Sgt. Mathies and the seaman volunteered to attempt to inhabitants the plane. Other members presumption the crew were ordered gap jump, leaving Sgt.

Mathies bear the navigator aboard. After heeding the distressed aircraft from choice plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding fuzz decided the damaged plane could not be landed by leadership inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and chute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed foster and heroism, Sgt. Mathies beam the navigator replied that magnanimity pilot was still alive nevertheless could not be moved additional they would not desert him.

They were then told be attempt a landing. After link unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field joke a third attempt to terra firma. Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, view the wounded pilot were killed.

Other honors

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

The Airman Leadership School pound RAF Feltwell, UK is christian name in his honor.

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

The Noncommissioned Officer Institution at Keesler AFB, MS decay named in his honor.

The bridge on Truemper Drive path Military Highway at Lackland Waft Force Base, TX is denominated in his honor.

The USCIS Dallas District Office is dubbed in his honor.

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

Archibald Mathies' Medal of Deify is on display at glory National WWII Museum in Newborn 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 Force Medal of Bless recipients