Archibald Mathies Archibald Mathies ( June 3 , 1918 – February 20 , 1944 ) posthumously received the Medal of Honor as an enlisted member of the U . S . Army Air Forces during World War II . Biography . Childhood . Born Archibald Hamilton , June 3 , 1918 , in Stonehouse , South Lanarkshire , Scotland , he emigrated with his parents to Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania in the United States . Military career . Archibald Mathies enlisted in the Regular Army on December 30 , 1940 , at Pittsburgh , Penn . He was attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron , 8th Pursuit Wing , and later assigned to the 36th Air Base Group , Maxwell Field , Alabama . On March 5 , 1941 , he was transferred to the 31st School Squadron , Jefferson Barracks , Mo . , where he remained until March 24 , 1941 . He then was attached to the 36th School Squadron , Chanute Field , Illinois , where he attended the Airplane Mechanic School , from which he graduated on October 1 , 1941 . He departed Chanute Field and proceeded to Mitchel Field , New York , where he served with the 1st Air Support Command and later the 33d Pursuit Group . He was transferred as a member of the 33d Pursuit Group to Morris Field , North Carolina , on December 4 , 1941 . On February 6 , 1943 , he was attached to the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall Field , Florida , and completed the course in aerial gunnery on March 22 , 1943 . He then returned to Morris Field and served with the 1st Air Service Command until April 12 , 1943 , when he was assigned to the 73d Observation Group at Godman Field , Kentucky . On April 14 , 1943 , he joined the 91st Observation squadron ( redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron ) at Godman Field . From July 25 to September 7 , 1943 , he was attached to the 28th Bombardment Squadron , 19th Bombardment Group , at Pyote , Texas , and from September 15 to November 22 , 1943 , he served with the 796th Bombardment Squadron at Alexandria , La . He departed the United States on December 8 , 1943 , and arrived in England on December 16 . Upon his arrival , he was assigned to the 8th Air Force Replacement Depot Casual Pool and was subsequently attached to the 1st Replacement and Training Squadron until January 18 , 1944 . On January 19 , 1944 , he was assigned to the 510th Bomb Squadron , 351st Bomb Group , based at RAF Polebrook , England , as an Engineer - Gunner . He was promoted to staff sergeant February 17 , 1944 . Three days later , on his second mission , Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies lost his life while attempting to land his damaged B - 17 after a heavy bomb attack on enemy installations at Leipzig Germany , for which he received the Medal of Honor . One of the Temporary Lodging units at Joint Base Anacostia - Bolling is named in his honor . The Airman Leadership School at RAF Feltwell , UK is named in his honor . The Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Keesler AFB , MS is named in his honor . The bridge on Truemper Drive crossing Military Highway at Lackland Air Force Base , TX is named in his honor . The USCIS Dallas District Office is named in his honor . The Mathies Coal Company in Pittsburgh , PA was named in his honor . Medal of Honor mission . On his second combat mission , on February 20 , 1944 , Sergeant Mathies participated in an attack on Leipzig , Germany . During this raid , along with 2d Lt . Walter E . Truemper aboard B - 17G 42 - 21763 , Markings TU : A , nicknamed " Ten Horsepower " , the co - pilot was killed and the pilot severely injured . Mathies and the navigator flew the crippled plane back to England , where the rest of the crew jumped ( parachuted ) to safety . Mathies and the navigator were ordered to jump , but both refused to leave the pilot behind . After some indecision , they were permitted to attempt a landing . The plane crashed into an open field on the third attempt , killing all aboard . Medal of Honor citation . Citation : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy - occupied Europe on February 20 , 1944 . The aircraft on which Sgt . Mathies was serving as flight 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 , Sgt . 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 . Sgt . Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt to land the plane . Other members of the crew were ordered to jump , leaving Sgt . Mathies and the navigator aboard . After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane , Sgt . 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 , Sgt . 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 into an open field in a third attempt to land . Sgt . Mathies , the navigator , and the wounded pilot were killed .