Medal of Honor: Jack W. Mathis – U.S. Army Air Corps – World War II

Name: Jack W. Mathis
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
Unit: 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group
Place: Over Vegesack, Germany
Entered Service At: San Angelo, Texas
Born: 25 September 1921, San Angelo, Texas
G.O. No.: 38, 12 July 1943

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Summary of Action

On March 18, 1943, First Lieutenant Jack W. Mathis served as the lead bombardier of his squadron during a bombing mission over Vegesack, Germany.

Flying through intense and accurate German antiaircraft fire, his B-17 approached the target as the formation began its critical bomb run.

The entire squadron depended on the lead bombardier’s accuracy.

At that moment, a burst of enemy flak struck the aircraft.

Mathis was catastrophically wounded.

His right arm was shattered above the elbow, and a massive wound tore through his side and abdomen. The explosion hurled him away from the bombsight and into the rear of the bombardier’s compartment.

Mortally wounded and barely conscious, he understood that if the bombs were not released accurately, the mission would fail.

Summoning extraordinary determination, Mathis dragged himself back to the bombsight.

With his shattered body and fading strength, he steadied himself long enough to complete the bomb run and release the bombs precisely on target.

Moments later, he died at his station.

Because of his actions, the entire squadron released its bombs on the correct target, resulting in a perfectly executed attack.

First Lieutenant Jack W. Mathis’ courage, determination, and devotion to duty stand among the most remarkable acts of heroism in the history of the United States Army Air Corps.

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Medal of Honor Citation

MATHIS, JACK W. (Air Mission)

Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, 18 March 1943.

Born: 25 September 1921, San Angelo, Tex.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier’s compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis’ undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.