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. "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

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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

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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 13, 2013

2. Citation: Marker

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hackett (within shouting distance of this marker); Enoch Wright House (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Hackett (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. one mile away); Honor Roll • Citizens of Gastonville (approx. 1½ miles away); Old Oak Tree Statue (approx. 1.7 miles away); "Mingo Creek Meeting House" (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mingo Creek Church (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Venetia.

Archibald Mathies grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 13, 2013

3. Archibald Mathies grave

In Finleyville Cemetery

Sergeant Mathies' Medal of Honor stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 13, 2013

4. Sergeant Mathies' Medal of Honor stone

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 753 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.