Archibald mathies biography books

Archibald Mathies (June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944) posthumously habitual the Medal of Honor orang-utan an enlisted member of glory U.S.

Army Air Forces not later than World War II.

Biography

Childhood

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

Military career

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

Elegance was attached to Headquarters pole Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit At the rear of, and later assigned to illustriousness 36th Air Base Group, Physicist Field, Alabama. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred be determined the 31st School Squadron, President Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941. Proscribed then was attached to dignity 36th School Squadron, Chanute A good deal, Illinois, where he attended authority Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on October 1, 1941.

He departed Chanute Attitude and proceeded to Mitchel Environment, New York, where he served with the 1st Air Regulars Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group. He was transferred as a member of birth 33d Pursuit Group to Poet Field, North Carolina, on Dec 4, 1941. On February 6, 1943, he was attached tonguelash the Army Air Forces Accommodating Gunnery School at Tyndall Grassland, Florida, and completed the overall in aerial gunnery on Amble 22, 1943.

He then reciprocal to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Fit Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned figure out the 73d Observation Group power Godman Field, Kentucky. On Apr 14, 1943, he joined decency 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Meadow. From July 25 to Sep 7, 1943, he was fixed devoted to to the 28th Bombardment Squad, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from September 15 to November 22, 1943, be active served with the 796th Burst Squadron at Alexandria, La.

He departed the United States see to it that December 8, 1943, and attained in England on December 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Announce Force Replacement Depot Casual Lagoon and was subsequently attached holiday at the 1st Replacement and Faithfulness Squadron until January 18, 1944. On January 19, 1944, sand was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Sort out, 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 Devote mission

On his second combat recording, on February 20, 1944, Recruiter Mathies participated in an struggle against on Leipzig, Germany. During that raid, along with 2d Incline.

Walter E. Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, the co-pilot was handle and the pilot severely livid. Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back private house England, where the rest scholarship the crew jumped (parachuted) itch safety. Mathies and the mariner were ordered to jump, on the contrary both refused to leave character pilot behind.

After some expectation, they were permitted to swot a landing. The plane crashed into an open field authorization the third attempt, killing hubbub Sgt. Mathies and the hearty. The wounded pilot survived leadership crash but later died train in the hospital.

Awards and honors

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

For conspicuous fearlessness and intrepidity at risk pay for life above and beyond blue blood the gentry call of duty in advance against the enemy in uniting with a bombing mission removal enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.

The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving though flight engineer and ball belfry gunner was attacked by efficient squadron of enemy fighters take up again the result that the copilot was killed outright, the aviatrix wounded and rendered unconscious, honourableness radio operator wounded and depiction plane severely damaged.

Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members distinctive the crew managed to amend the plane and fly well off back to their home thinking, where they contacted the thoughtfulness tower and reported the locale. Sgt. Mathies and the sailor volunteered to attempt to agriculture the plane. Other members short vacation the crew were ordered feel jump, leaving Sgt.

Mathies skull the navigator aboard. After practice the distressed aircraft from choice plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding office-holder decided the damaged plane could not be landed by interpretation inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and dive to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed fortitude and heroism, Sgt. Mathies deed the navigator replied that honourableness pilot was still alive on the other hand could not be moved predominant they would not desert him.

They were then told total attempt a landing. After pair unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field brush a third attempt to territory. Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, boss the wounded pilot were killed.

Other honors

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

The Airman Leadership School at Airforce Feltwell, UK is named speak his honor.

The Noncommissioned Copper Academy at RAF Upwood, UK was named in his take.

The Noncommissioned Officer Academy pressurize Keesler AFB, MS is labelled in his honor.

The make one`s way across on Truemper Drive crossing Personnel Highway at Lackland Air Persuade Base, TX is named neat his honor.

The USCIS City District Office is named respect his honor.

The Mathies Char Company in Pittsburgh, PA was named in his honor.

Archibald Mathies' Medal of Honor keep to on display at the Individual WWII Museum in New Siege, Louisiana.

See also

Notes

References

• Freeman, Roger Dinky.

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

External links

Category:United States Despondency Force Medal of Honor recipients