Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies
B-17 ...an enlisted story.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
1. Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies Marker
Inscription.
Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies. B-17 ...an enlisted story.. Archibald Mathies emigrated as an infant with his family from Scotland in 1918 and settled near Pittsburgh, Penn. Archibald returned to the British Isles 26 years later as a ball turret gunner aboard a B-17. He enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and later became an aircraft engineer and gunner. On Feb 20, 1944, he was on his second combat mission when his B-17 was severely damaged by German fighters. The co-pilot was killed and several crewmembers, including the pilot, were severely wounded. Sergeant Mathies and 2nd Lt. Walter E Truemper, the navigator, fought to control the damaged bomber upon reaching their home field in England, they were ordered to bail out. Authorities modified their order when they learned of the critical condition of the wounded pilot. The resulting landing attempt proved fatal to Mathies, Truemper and the wounded pilot. Their heroic effort earned lasting recognition. Both Sergeant Mathies and Lieutenant Truemper received the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Archibald Mathies emigrated as an infant with his family from Scotland in 1918 and settled near Pittsburgh, Penn. Archibald returned to the British Isles 26 years later as a ball turret gunner aboard a B-17. He enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and later became an aircraft engineer and gunner. On Feb 20, 1944, he was on his second combat mission when his B-17 was severely damaged by German fighters. The co-pilot was killed and several crewmembers, including the pilot, were severely wounded. Sergeant Mathies and 2nd Lt. Walter E Truemper, the navigator, fought to control the damaged bomber upon reaching their home field in England, they were ordered to bail out. Authorities modified their order when they learned of the critical condition of the wounded pilot. The resulting landing attempt proved fatal to Mathies, Truemper and the wounded pilot. Their heroic effort earned lasting recognition. Both Sergeant Mathies and Lieutenant Truemper received the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 20, 1944.
Location. 29° 23.384′ N,
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98° 37.142′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museums Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
2. The Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies Marker in front of a B-17
(within shouting distance of this marker); 459th Bomb Group (H) (within shouting distance of this marker); B-25H "Mitchell" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.
More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museums web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.
Also see . . . Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
3. B-17 Flying Fortress
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
