Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies

On February 20, 1944, Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies served aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress during a bombing mission over Germany when enemy fighters severely damaged the aircraft and critically wounded the pilot. Refusing opportunities to parachute to safety, Mathies remained aboard to help another crewmember attempt to land the crippled bomber and save the wounded pilot. The aircraft crashed during the landing attempt, and Mathies was killed. His extraordinary courage and selfless sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor and left a lasting legacy of service before self.