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.

Born Archibald Collins Hamilton, June 3, 1918, in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, he emigrated with his mother and step-father to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States.

(Taken from U.S. Air Force Biography)[1] 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.

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.

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' commanding officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and parachute to safety.

The bridge on Truemper Drive crossing Military Highway at Lackland Air Force Base, TX is named in his honor.