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.
He trained with his brother as bombardiers and they were commissioned as Second Lieutenants upon graduation. Jack Mathis was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force in England, where he flew 14 missions.
On 18 March 1943, Mathis was lead bombardier on a mission over Bremen-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.
Mathis Municipal Airport in San Angelo was named in honor of both Mathis brothers in 1988.
Link to Wikipedia biography