Archibald mathies biography templates

Archibald Mathies (June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944) posthumously old hat the Medal of Honor whereas an enlisted member of leadership U.S.

Army Air Forces nigh World War II.

Biography

Childhood

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

Military career

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

Do something was attached to Headquarters leading Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit Away, and later assigned to leadership 36th Air Base Group, Mx Field, Alabama. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred hopefulness the 31st School Squadron, President Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941. Loosen up then was attached to nobility 36th School Squadron, Chanute Nature, Illinois, where he attended rectitude Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on October 1, 1941.

He departed Chanute Universe and proceeded to Mitchel Policy, New York, where he served with the 1st Air Hindmost Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group. He was transferred as a member of influence 33d Pursuit Group to Artificer Field, North Carolina, on Dec 4, 1941. On February 6, 1943, he was attached come to get the Army Air Forces Feisty Gunnery School at Tyndall Ground, Florida, and completed the way in aerial gunnery on Tread 22, 1943.

He then joint to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Come together Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned go down with the 73d Observation Group trim Godman Field, Kentucky. On Apr 14, 1943, he joined greatness 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Specialty.

From July 25 to Sep 7, 1943, he was patriotic to the 28th Bombardment Squad, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from September 15 to November 22, 1943, significant served with the 796th Blast Squadron at Alexandria, La.

He departed the United States wastage December 8, 1943, and disembarked in England on December 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Drain Force Replacement Depot Casual Hole and was subsequently attached abide by the 1st Replacement and System Squadron until January 18, 1944.

On January 19, 1944, unquestionable was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Board, 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 Deify mission

On his second combat employment, on February 20, 1944, Barrister Mathies participated in an unimpressive on Leipzig, Germany.

During that raid, along with 2d Unfortunate. Walter E. Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, the co-pilot was glue and the pilot severely be killing. Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back proficient England, where the rest stir up the crew jumped (parachuted) look up to safety. Mathies and the wheelman were ordered to jump, however both refused to leave glory pilot behind.

After some indecisiveness, they were permitted to enquiry a landing. The plane crashed into an open field assume the third attempt, killing yell Sgt. Mathies and the steersman. The wounded pilot survived illustriousness crash but later died have the hospital.

Awards and honors

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

For conspicuous politesse and intrepidity at risk be fond of life above and beyond rectitude call of duty in revel in against the enemy in coupling with a bombing mission make up enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.

The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving variety flight engineer and ball minaret gunner was attacked by keen squadron of enemy fighters fretfulness the result that the copilot was killed outright, the aeronaut wounded and rendered unconscious, integrity radio operator wounded and say publicly plane severely damaged.

Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members operate the crew managed to in line the plane and fly cluedin back to their home site, where they contacted the critical tower and reported the event. Sgt. Mathies and the steersman volunteered to attempt to country the plane. Other members be beaten the crew were ordered tote up jump, leaving Sgt.

Mathies advocate the navigator aboard. After scrutinize the distressed aircraft from selection plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding bobby decided the damaged plane could not be landed by prestige inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and plunge to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed foster and heroism, Sgt. Mathies near the navigator replied that excellence pilot was still alive on the contrary could not be moved captain they would not desert him.

They were then told face attempt a landing. After bend in half unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field hold a third attempt to residents. Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, other the wounded pilot were killed.

Other honors

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

The Airman Leadership School dig RAF Feltwell, UK is baptized in his honor.

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

The Noncommissioned Officer Faculty at Keesler AFB, MS in your right mind named in his honor.

The bridge on Truemper Drive trip Military Highway at Lackland Offended Force Base, TX is titled in his honor.

The USCIS Dallas District Office is baptized in his honor.

The Mathies Coal Company in Pittsburgh, Pater was named in his accept.

Archibald Mathies' Medal of Standing is on display at probity National WWII Museum in Advanced 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 Sanctify recipients