First Lieutenant Jack Warren Mathis was an airman in the U.S. Army Air Corps who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on March 18, 1943 over Vegesack, Germany during World War II. At the time he was serving with 359th Bombardment Squadron, 303d Bombardment Group 8th Air Force. Mathis was 21 years old.
Mathis was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on September 21, 1943. Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas, presented by Maj. Gen. Barton K. Yount to his Mother.
Mathis was born on September 25, 1921 in Sterling City, Sterling County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. He is buried at Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo, Texas. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
Mathis is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany on 18 March 1943. First 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 upon 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 bombsight 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. First Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
First 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 upon 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 bombsight 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.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 18, 1943).
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: Fairmount Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Jack Warren Mathis received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: bombardier
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- September 25, 1921Born in Sterling City, Sterling County, Texas
- March 18, 1943Act of valor — over Vegesack, GermanyAge 21. 359th Bombardment Squadron, 303d Bombardment Group 8th Air Force Killed in action.
- September 21, 1943Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyGoodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas, presented by Maj. Gen. Barton K. Yount to his Mother
- Resting placeFairmount CemeterySan Angelo, Texas
Biography
Jack Warren Mathis (September 25, 1921 – March 18, 1943) was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration, for his actions in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Jack W. Mathis”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
