Union Township near Venetia in Washington County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Citation:
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 13, 2013
1. Citation: Marker
Inscription.
Citation:. . "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty against the enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe on 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which Sergeant Mathies was serving as engineer and ball turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters with the result that the co-pilot was killed outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged. Nevertheless Sergeant Mathies and other members of the crew managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home station, where they contacted the control tower and reported the situation. Sergeant Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving Sergeant Mathies and the navigator aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, Sergeant Mathies' commanding officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and parachute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed courage and heroism, Sergeant Mathies and the navigator replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and they would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a landing. After two unsuccessful efforts the plane crashed in an open field in a third attempt to land. Sergeant Mathies, the navigator and the pilot were killed. , , (signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty against the enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe on 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which Sergeant Mathies was serving as engineer and ball turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters with the result that the co-pilot was killed outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged. Nevertheless Sergeant Mathies and other members of the crew managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home station, where they contacted the control tower and reported the situation. Sergeant Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving Sergeant Mathies and the navigator aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, Sergeant Mathies' commanding officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and parachute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed courage and heroism, Sergeant Mathies and the navigator replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and they would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a landing. After two unsuccessful efforts the plane crashed in an open
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field in a third attempt to land. Sergeant Mathies, the navigator and the pilot were killed.
(signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt
Erected 1969 by Peters Creek Historical Society, Inc.
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. 40° 14.962′ N, 80° 1.075′ W. Marker is near Venetia, Pennsylvania, in Washington County. It is in Union Township. Marker is on Venetia Road, 0.1 miles west of McClelland Road, on the right when traveling west. Located at the entrance to Finleville Cemetery, where Archibald Mathies is buried. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 994 Venetia Rd, Venetia PA 15367, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The Eighth Air Force Historical Society
The Pennsylvania Chapter
Honors one of its own
WWII
Medal of Honor Recipients
S.Sgt. Archibald Mathies
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.