Skip to main content
This is the USCIS preview website. Visit uscis.gov for the official USCIS site.
USCIS Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Español
Multilingual Resources
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
Horizontal Menu
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
  • Ask Emma
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • About Us
    • Mission and Core Values
      • What We Do
    • Organization
      • Leadership
      • Directorates and Program Offices
        • Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)
        • Office of Performance and Quality
        • External Affairs Directorate
        • Field Operations Directorate
        • Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate
        • Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate
        • Management Directorate
        • Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
        • Office of Investigations
        • Office of Privacy
        • Office of the Chief Counsel
        • Office of the Executive Secretariat
        • Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate
        • Service Center Operations Directorate
    • Our History
      • History Office and Library
        • About the History Office
        • Featured Stories from the USCIS History Office and Library
        • History Office Webinars
        • Historical Library
        • Research Guides
      • Commissioners and Directors
      • Overview of Agency History
    • Find a USCIS Office
      • Field Offices
      • USCIS Facilities Dedicated to the Memory of Immigrant Medal of Honor Recipients
      • USCIS Office Closings
      • If You Feel Sick, Do Not Come to Your USCIS Appointment; Please Cancel and Reschedule It
      • International Offices
        • Beijing
        • Guangzhou
        • Guatemala City
        • Mexico City
        • Nairobi
        • New Delhi
        • San Salvador
    • Budget, Planning and Performance
    • Contact Us
      • USCIS Contact Center
    • Disability Accommodations for the Public
    • Careers
      • Career Opportunities
      • How to Apply
      • Special Hiring Programs
      • Benefits
      • Training
    • New Employee Information and Forms
    • Equal Employment Opportunity
      • No FEAR Act
      • USCIS Notification of Violation
      • How Do I File An Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint?
    • USCIS Contracting
      • USCIS Contracting Opportunities
      • Vendor Engagement
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. About Us
  3. Find a USCIS Office
  4. USCIS Facilities Dedicated to the Memory of Immigrant Medal of Honor Recipients
  5. Army Air Force Sergeant Archibald Mathies - World War II

Army Air Force Sergeant Archibald Mathies - World War II

USCIS Dallas District Office

Image of Archibald Mathies
Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

Archibald Mathies was born in Stonehouse, Scotland in 1918. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940, and graduated  from airplane mechanic school weeks before the United States entered World War II.

Mathies was assigned to a U.S. Army Air Corps Bomber Wing, where he was a B-17 flight engineer, responsible for servicing the airplane in-flight and on the ground; he was a critical link between the pilot, bomber and the crew.

Mathies was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously...

"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 Feb. 20, 1944, while serving with the 510th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group (H), Eighth Air Force. The aircraft on which Mathies was serving as engineer and ball turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters with the result that the copilot was killed outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged.

"Nevertheless, 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. Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt to land the plane. 

"Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving Mathies and the navigator aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, 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, 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. Sergeant Mathies, the navigator, and the wounded pilot were killed. —from Archibald Mathies’ Medal of Honor citation

Mathies is buried at Finleyville Cemetery in Finleyville, Pa.

This text is from the official citations, military historical records, obituaries and other text posted on the Internet, including HomeOfHeroes.com, and the Military Times Hall of Valor. 

Last Reviewed/Updated:
07/05/2011
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov