Jack W . Mathis 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 . Biography . Mathis was born on September 25 , 1921 , in San Angelo , Texas , and grew up in nearby Sterling City . He enlisted in the Army on June 12 , 1940 , and served in an artillery unit at Fort Sill , Oklahoma , until he learned that his brother Mark had enlisted in the then - U . S . Army Air Corps . Mathis transferred into his brother ' s unit and began aviation cadet training at Goodfellow Field in San Angelo . Both were trained as bombardier s and commissioned as Second Lieutenant s upon graduation . Jack Mathis was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force in England , where he flew 14 missions . On March 19 , 1943 , Mathis was lead bombardier on a mission over Vegesack , Germany . As lead bombardier it was his responsibility to direct the bombing of the entire squadron . An exploding antiaircraft shell sent fragments into Mathis ' plane , shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the right side and abdomen . Despite being mortally wounded , Mathis propped himself over the Norden bombsight , located the target and dropped his bombs . He died at his post , but had directed the mission ' s bombing with great precision , and for his actions was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor . Mark Mathis was on base when the plane carrying his brother ' s body landed after the mission . At his own request , Mark Mathis was transferred into Jack Mathis ' crew to replace him as bombardier . When the crew completed its tour of duty , Mark Mathis stayed in combat and was killed in action over the North Sea in May 1943 . Jack Mathis is buried in Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo , Texas , and his Medal of Honor is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio . The sports and fitness center at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo , Texas was named in his honor in 1966 . Mathis Municipal Airport in San Angelo was named in honor of both Mathis brothers in 1988 . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : First Lieutenant , U . S . Army Air Corps , 359th Bomb Squadron , 303d Bomb Group . Place and date : Over Vegesack , Germany , March 18 , 1943 . Entered service at : San Angelo , Tex . Born : September 25 , 1921 , San Angelo , Tex . G . O . No . : 38 , July 12 , 1943 . Citation : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack , Germany , on March 18 , 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 .