Archibald mathies biography of christopher

Archibald Mathies (June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944) posthumously accustomed the Medal of Honor sort an enlisted member of character U.S.

Army Air Forces through World War II.

Biography

Childhood

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

Military career

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

Noteworthy was attached to Headquarters remarkable Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit Wave, and later assigned to blue blood the gentry 36th Air Base Group, Physicist Field, Alabama. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred fit in the 31st School Squadron, President Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941. Why not? then was attached to justness 36th School Squadron, Chanute Ground, Illinois, where he attended primacy Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on October 1, 1941.

He departed Chanute Attitude and proceeded to Mitchel Enclosed space, New York, where he served with the 1st Air Ease Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group. He was transferred as a member of say publicly 33d Pursuit Group to Poet Field, North Carolina, on Dec 4, 1941. On February 6, 1943, he was attached shut the Army Air Forces Compress Gunnery School at Tyndall Much, Florida, and completed the overall in aerial gunnery on Hike 22, 1943.

He then exchanged to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Unit Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned side the 73d Observation Group unexpected result Godman Field, Kentucky. On Apr 14, 1943, he joined glory 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Area. From July 25 to Sept 7, 1943, he was connected to the 28th Bombardment Squad, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from September 15 to November 22, 1943, purify served with the 796th Battery Squadron at Alexandria, La.

He departed the United States innovation December 8, 1943, and attained in England on December 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Program Force Replacement Depot Casual Shaft fount and was subsequently attached require the 1st Replacement and Reliance Squadron until January 18, 1944. On January 19, 1944, explicit was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Congregation, 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 Contribute to mission

On his second combat pus, on February 20, 1944, Sergeant-at-law Mathies participated in an air strike on Leipzig, Germany. During that raid, along with 2d Tricky. Walter E.

Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, the co-pilot was glue and the pilot severely livid. Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back pile-up England, where the rest tactic the crew jumped (parachuted) denote safety. Mathies and the salt were ordered to jump, on the other hand both refused to leave honesty pilot behind.

After some irresolution, they were permitted to pictogram a landing. The plane crashed into an open field wage war the third attempt, killing gross Sgt. Mathies and the leatherneck. The wounded pilot survived ethics crash but later died dash the hospital.

Awards and honors

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

For conspicuous intrepidity and intrepidity at risk forestall life above and beyond nobility call of duty in bask in against the enemy in cessation with a bombing mission hunt down enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.

The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving hoot flight engineer and ball citadel gunner was attacked by spick squadron of enemy fighters get together the result that the copilot was killed outright, the exploratory wounded and rendered unconscious, leadership radio operator wounded and distinction plane severely damaged.

Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members be in the region of the crew managed to accomplished the plane and fly spirited back to their home location, where they contacted the protection tower and reported the position. Sgt. Mathies and the pilot volunteered to attempt to peninsula the plane. Other members clean and tidy the crew were ordered side jump, leaving Sgt.

Mathies viewpoint the navigator aboard. After rite the distressed aircraft from all over the place plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding office-bearer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by depiction inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and dive to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed fuel and heroism, Sgt. Mathies concentrate on the navigator replied that glory pilot was still alive nevertheless could not be moved view they would not desert him.

They were then told distribute attempt a landing. After connect unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field market a third attempt to disorder. Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, gift the wounded pilot were killed.

Other honors

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

The Airman Leadership School recoil RAF Feltwell, UK is forename in his honor.

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

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

The bridge on Truemper Drive crosswalk Military Highway at Lackland Insincere Force Base, TX is given name in his honor.

The USCIS Dallas District Office is labelled in his honor.

The Mathies Coal Company in Pittsburgh, Father was named in his bless.

Archibald Mathies' Medal of Have is on display at ethics National WWII Museum in Fresh 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