I wrote the other day about local attractions as a "Marketing Tool". Since that post, I have received feedback and read other blog posts that remind me that this particular attraction in Savannah, The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, is much more than this. For me it is full of inspiring stories of the bravery and courage of ordinary young men faced with extraordinary circumstances. Each story helps me cope with the particular problems in our business and my life these days and frankly makes me somewhat ashamed of the extent to which I believe that I am facing tough times.
There were 10 men in the Mighty 8th who received the Medal of Honor, an unprecedented number from one segment of the war effort. At the Museum, you can see the pictures and read the stories of why these men received the Medal of Honor, many posthumously. Here is one of those stories.
First Lieutenant Jack W. Mathis was born in 1921, in Texas and enlisted in the Army on June 12, 1940. He served in an artillery unit until he learned that his brother Mark had enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Jack Mathis immediately transferred into his brother's unit and received aviation cadet training at San Angelo, Texas. Both brothers were trained as bombardiers and upon graduation, Jack Mathis was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force In England, where he flew 14 missions.
On March 19, 1943, Mathis, 21 years old at the time, was lead bombardier on a mission over Germany. The lead bombardier's role in these missions was critical. He was responsible for directing the bombing of the entire squadron. I will let the Medal of Honor Citation speak for itself:
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, March 18, 1943. Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex. Born: September 25, 1921, San Angelo, Tex. G.O. No.: 38, July 12, 1943.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on March 18, 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier's compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.
Jack's brother Mark 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.
Somehow, I don't feel that my own problems are quite so important after studying the stories of these brave young men, then and now. My father served with both Mark and Jack Mathis and I appreciate that but for a few events that went one way instead of another, I would not be here today.
These stories, help me face each day with much less self-absorption and before I do anything else, ask myself, "How can I be of help to someone less fortunate than me today?"
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