Medal of Honor: Archibald Mathies – World War II, February 20, 1944

Archibald Mathies
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Date of Action: February 20, 1944
Location: Over Occupied Europe / RAF Polebrook, England

Summary of Action:
On February 20, 1944, Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies faced a decision few ever confront—stay aboard a crippled bomber with a dying comrade, or jump to safety and save himself. He chose to stay.

That morning, Mathies was flying as the engineer and ball turret gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress on a mission deep into Nazi-occupied Europe. Midway through the operation, their formation was attacked by a swarm of enemy fighters. In seconds, the copilot was dead. The pilot was gravely wounded and unconscious. The radio operator was hit. The aircraft itself was torn by flak and bullets, barely holding together.

Yet somehow, Mathies and the navigator fought to keep the bomber in the air. They managed to stabilize the controls and, against all odds, turned the wounded plane back toward England. There was no autopilot. No guidance. Just training, grit, and devotion.

As the battered Fortress limped home to RAF Polebrook, Mathies radioed in their situation. The control tower urged him and the navigator to bail out—but they refused. The pilot was still alive, and they wouldn’t leave him behind.

Ordered to attempt a landing, Mathies—who had never piloted a B-17—took the controls. Twice he tried. Twice he failed to bring the heavy bomber down. On the third attempt, the aircraft crashed in an open field. Mathies, the navigator, and the pilot all perished in the impact.

Archibald Mathies was one of only four enlisted airmen awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. He did not die for glory. He died for loyalty, for duty, and for the man who couldn’t be saved—but who would never be left behind.

Medal of Honor Citation:
*"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action against the enemy during a bombing mission over enemy-occupied Europe on February 20, 1944.

The aircraft on which Sergeant Mathies served as flight engineer and ball turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters, resulting in the immediate death of the copilot, severe injuries rendering the pilot unconscious, wounds to the radio operator, and extensive damage to the aircraft. Despite these dire circumstances, Sergeant Mathies and his fellow crew members fought to regain control of the stricken bomber, successfully stabilizing it and flying it back to their home station. Upon arrival, they established radio contact with the control tower and reported their precarious situation.

Understanding the severity of their predicament, Sergeant Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt a landing. The remaining crew members were ordered to parachute to safety, leaving only Mathies and the navigator aboard. Observing the aircraft from another plane, Mathies’ commanding officer determined that the severely damaged bomber could not be safely landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to bail out.

Demonstrating unparalleled bravery and selflessness, Sergeant Mathies and the navigator refused to abandon their wounded pilot, declaring that he was still alive but could not be moved. They would not leave him behind. With no alternative, they were instructed to attempt the landing.

After two unsuccessful landing attempts, the aircraft crashed into an open field during their third and final effort. Sergeant Mathies, the navigator, and the wounded pilot perished in the crash.