The FReeper Foxhole Remembers SSgt Mathies, 2Lt Truemper & Ten Horsepower (2/20/1944)-Jul 14th, 2004

www.afa.org ^ | August 1985 | John L. Frisbee

[SAMWolf]

Archibald Mathies enlisted in the Regular Army on 30 December 1940 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 8th Pursuit Wing, and later assigned to the 36th Air Base Group, Maxwell Field, Alabama. On 5 March 1941, he was transferred to the 31st School Squadron, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, where he remained until 24 March 1941. He then was attached to the 36th School Squadron, Chanute Field, Illinois, where he attended the Airplane Mechanic School, graduating from this course on 1 October 1941.


Sergeant Archibald Mathies

He departed Chanute Filed 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 4 December 1941. On 6 February 1943, he was attached to the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Florida, and completed the course in aerial gunnery on 22 March 1943. He then returned to Morris Field, North Carolina, and served with the 1st Air Service Command, until 12 April 1943, when he was assigned to the 73d Observation Group at Godman Field, Kentucky. On 14 April 1943, he joined the 91st Observation squadron (redesignated 91st Reconnaissance Squadron) at Godman Field. From 25 July 1943 to 7 September 1943, he was attached to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, at Pyote, Texas, and from 15 September 1943 to 22 November 1943, he served with the 796th Bombardment Squadron at Alexandria, Louisiana.

He departed the United States on 8 December 1943 and arrived in England on 16 December 1943. 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 18 January 1944. On 19 January 1944, he was assigned to the 510th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group, and served with that organization as an Engineer-Gunner until 20 February 1944.

On his second mission, 20 February 1944, Sergeant Mathies participated in a heavy bombardment attack on enemy installations at Leipzig, Germany. During this raid his ship was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters, and he was killed in action. For his heroism and devotion to his comrades on that date, he was awarded the nation's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

[SAMWolf]

Walter Truemper entered the Army June 23, 1942, at Chicago, Ill., and served for a few months with the 174th Field Artillery at Camp Bowie, Texas, until he entered flying training. He took preflight at Ellington, Texas; flexible gunnery at Harlingen, Texas; and advanced navigation at Hondo Texas, where he was commissioned as a navigator in August 1943.


Lt. Walter E. Truemper

He served with the 796th Bomb Squadron at Alexandria, La., until going to Europe in December 1943, as a navigator with the 351st Bomb Group's 510th Squadron. Lieutenant Truemper lost his life Feb. 20, on his second mission, a B-17 strike against the enemy in occupied Europe. His Flying Fortress was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters. The co-pilot was killed and pilot Lt. Clarence Nelson was badly wounded and unconscious. Lt. Truemper took the damaged aircraft’s controls. Making it to England the crew bailed out. By staying with his wounded captain he played a desperate and brave hand. After two prior landing attempts and despite his best efforts Ten Horsepower crashed on final approach. The three men aboard were killed. For his heroic and selfless actions Truemper was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Additional Sources:

www.wpafb.af.mil
www.medalofhonor.com
www.brooksart.com
www.donnan.com
www.valka.cz
www.homeofheroes.com

[SAMWolf]

Medal of Honor citation
for
Sergeant Archibald Mathies

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U .S. Army Air Corps, 510th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group.
Place and date: Over Europe, 20 February 1944.
Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Born: 3 June 1918, Scotland.
G.O. No.: 52, 22 June 1944.


Sergeant Archibald Mathies' Medal of honor is presented to his mother

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 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which Sgt. 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, 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.

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Medal of Honor citation
for
Walter E. Truemper

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps. 510th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group.
Place and date: Over Europe, 20 February 1944.
Entered service at: Aurora, Ill.
Born: 31 October 1918, Aurora, Ill.
G.O. No.: 52, 22 June 1944.


Lt. Walter E. Truemper's Medal of honor is presented to his mother

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 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which 2d Lt. Truemper was serving as navigator 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, 2d Lt. Truemper 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.

2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving 2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, 2d Lt. Truemper's 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, 2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and that they would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a landing. After 2 unsuccessful efforts their plane crashed into an open field in a third attempt to land. 2d Lt. Truemper, the engineer, and the wounded pilot were killed.

[SAMWolf]

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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Iraq Homecoming Tips

~ Thanks to our Veterans still serving, at home and abroad. ~ Freepmail to Ragtime Cowgirl | 2/09/04 | FRiend in the USAF

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PDN members and fans. We hope you will consider this simple act of patriotism worth passing on or taking up as a project in your own back yard. In summary:

Who They Are: Operation: Stitches Of Love was started by the Mothers of two United States Marines stationed in Iraq.

What They Are Doing: We are gathering 12.5"x12.5" quilt squares from across the country and assembling the largest quilt ever produced. When completed we will take the quilt from state to state and gather even more squares.

Why They Are Doing This: We are building this quilt to rally support for the Coalition Forces in Iraq and to show the service members that they are not forgotten. We want the world to know Nothing will ever break the stitches that bind us together as a country.

Ideas to start a local project:

Obtain enough Red, White and Blue material (cloth) for a 12.5 x 12.5 quilt square.
If you have someone in your family that sews, make it a weekend project and invite neighbors to join you.

Consider this tribute as a project for your civic group, scouts, church or townhall group.

Locate an elementary school with an after school program in your neighborhood or locate an after school program in your neighborhood not attached to a school and ask if you could volunteer one or two afternoons and create some squares with the kids.

Invite some VFW posts to share your project in honor of their post.

Send us webmaster@patriotwatch.com for digital photos of in progress and finished project for various websites, OIFII.com and the media.

PDN is making this appeal in support of Operation: Stitches Of Love
Media Contact: Deborah Johns (916) 716-2749
Volunteers & Alternate Media: PDN (916) 448-1636

Your friends at PDN

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



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What?

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