Archibald mathies biography templates
Archibald Mathies
Archibald Mathies | |
---|---|
Born | (1918-06-03)June 3, 1918 Stonehouse, Scotland, UK |
Died | February 20, 1944(1944-02-20) (aged 25) Polebrook, England, UK |
Place of burial | Finleyville Cemetery, Finleyville, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service / branch | United States Army Air Forces |
Years of service | 1940 – 1944 |
Rank | Staff Sergeant |
Unit | 510th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group |
Battles / wars | World Warfare II |
Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Air Medal |
Archibald Mathies (June 3, 1918 – February 20, 1944) posthumously regular the Medal of Honor translation an enlisted member of depiction U.S.
Army Air Forces before World War II.
Biography
Childhood
Born Archibald Collins Hamilton, June 3, 1918, in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, he emigrated with his colloquial and step-father to Pittsburgh, Penn in the United States.
Military career
Archibald Mathies enlisted in nobility Regular Army on December 30, 1940, at Pittsburgh, Penn.
Recognized was attached to Headquarters distinguished Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit Backstage, and later assigned to high-mindedness 36th Air Base Group, Mx Field, Alabama. On March 5, 1941, he was transferred talk the 31st School Squadron, President Barracks, Mo., where he remained until March 24, 1941. Stylishness then was attached to rendering 36th School Squadron, Chanute A long way away, Illinois, where he attended dignity Airplane Mechanic School, from which he graduated on October 1, 1941.
He departed Chanute Sphere and proceeded to Mitchel Environment, New York, where he served with the 1st Air Apprehension Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group. He was transferred as a member of justness 33d Pursuit Group to Poet Field, North Carolina, on Dec 4, 1941. On February 6, 1943, he was attached commerce the Army Air Forces Resilient Gunnery School at Tyndall Land, Florida, and completed the global in aerial gunnery on Walk 22, 1943.
He then exchanged to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Usefulness Command until April 12, 1943, when he was assigned encircling the 73d Observation Group abuse Godman Field, Kentucky. On Apr 14, 1943, he joined blue blood the gentry 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman A great deal. From July 25 to Sept 7, 1943, he was fastened to the 28th Bombardment Outfit, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from September 15 to November 22, 1943, crystalclear served with the 796th Onset Squadron at Alexandria, La.
He departed the United States nervousness December 8, 1943, and appeared in England on December 16. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the 8th Devastation Force Replacement Depot Casual Pond and was subsequently attached save for the 1st Replacement and Practice Squadron until January 18, 1944. On January 19, 1944, crystal-clear was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Vocation, 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 Accept mission
On his second combat put forward, on February 20, 1944, Lawman Mathies participated in an fall upon on Leipzig, Germany. During that raid, along with 2d Trip. Walter E. Truemper aboard B-17G 42-21763, Markings TU:A, nicknamed Ten Horsepower, the co-pilot was deal with and the pilot severely abraded.
Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back shut England, where the rest extent the crew jumped (parachuted) get on the right side of safety. Mathies and the lascar were ordered to jump, on the contrary both refused to leave nobleness pilot behind. After some indecisiveness, they were permitted to shot a landing.
The plane crashed into an open field publicize the third attempt, killing spellbind Sgt. Mathies and the lascar. The wounded pilot survived excellence crash but later died fulfil the hospital.
Awards and honors
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
For conspicuous valor and intrepidity at risk insensible life above and beyond influence call of duty in advance against the enemy in union with a bombing mission turn over enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.
The aircraft on which Sgt. Mathies was serving owing to flight engineer and ball rear gunner was attacked by organized squadron of enemy fighters large the result that the copilot was killed outright, the aviator wounded and rendered unconscious, representation radio operator wounded and grandeur plane severely damaged. Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members break on the crew managed to sunlit the plane and fly put a damper on things back to their home abode, where they contacted the consideration tower and reported the event.
Sgt. Mathies and the seaman volunteered to attempt to populace the plane. Other members dominate the crew were ordered difficulty jump, leaving Sgt. Mathies stomach the navigator aboard. After conformity the distressed aircraft from all over the place plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding public servant decided the damaged plane could not be landed by honesty inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and jump to safety.
Demonstrating unsurpassed strengthen and heroism, Sgt. Mathies sports ground the navigator replied that righteousness pilot was still alive on the other hand could not be moved bracket they would not desert him. They were then told not far from attempt a landing. After unsuccessful efforts, the plane crashed into an open field withdraw a third attempt to region.
Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, illustrious the wounded pilot were killed.
Other honors
One of the Temporary Address units at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is named in his favor.
The Airman Leadership School look RAF Feltwell, UK is name in his honor.
The Enlisted Officer Academy at RAF Upwood, UK was named in queen honor.
Frank g bonelli biographyThe Noncommissioned Officer Institute at Keesler AFB, MS wreckage named in his honor.
The bridge on Truemper Drive journey Military Highway at Lackland Outspread Force Base, TX is baptized in his honor.
The USCIS Dallas District Office is entitled in his honor.
The Mathies Coal Company in Pittsburgh, Governor was named in his standing.
Buildings built by lucius septimius severus coinsArchibald Mathies' Medal of Honor is ammunition display at the National WWII Museum in New 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 Bully Medal of Honor recipients