Mathis Jack Warren

Name:

Jack Warren Mathis

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-727110

Unit:

359th Bomber Squadron, 303th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1943-03-18

State:

Texas

Cemetery:

Fairmount Cemetery, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas, USA

Plot:

Block 86, Lot 10

Row:

1

Grave:

Plot A

Decoration:

Medal of Honor, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart

Comments:

Jack Warren Mathis was born on September 25, 1921, in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. He was the son of Rhude Mark Mathis and Avis Canon Scott.

Jack attended school in his hometown and enlisted in the Army in June 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He served for six months with the 1st Field Artillery at Fort Sill, OK. He returned home in early 1941 for transfer to the Army Air Corps at Goodfellow Field, then took training as a bombardier at Ellington Field, Texas, and Victorville, CA. He was commissioned on July 4, 1942. He served with bombardier groups at Salt Lake City, Utah; Alamogordo, N.M.; and Biggs Field, Texas.

Lieutenant Mathis went to England in September 1942 for service with the 8th Air Force. He flew as lead bombardier for the 303rd Bomb Group’s 359th Squadron, and in this capacity, made the supreme sacrifice on March 18, 1943, during a mission against hostile installations at Vegasack, Germany. Although mortally wounded by enemy anti-aircraft fire, he released his bombs, and as a result of his heroic action, the bombers of his squadron dropped their bombs directly upon the assigned target.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
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. 1st 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 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 bomb sight 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. 1st Lt. Mathis’ undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.

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