Howard Harding Mathis was born at Gastonia, North Carolina on 27 July 1921, the son of Eli Mathis and Zelma Alice Costne.
Died 8 May 1944

Technical Sergeant
96th Bomber Group, 337th Bomber Squadron, 8th Air Force

Aircraft B-17G with serial number 42-97403 was on a combat mission to Berlin in Germany. The formation was attacked by 30-50 enemy aircraft. The First attack coming at 0955 and knocking down approximately 5 aircraft. Second attack coming at 1005 and knocking down 5 more. Chutes were seen but could not be identified to any particular aircraft The aircraft 403 crashed near Blender and T/Sgt Mathis buried at the Jewish Cemetery Noya on 10 May 1944. He was reburied at the American War Cemetery, Neuville-en-Condroz in Belgium. He is now buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, 34, 4160.

Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Milton Fancher
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Olin R. Kuhn
Navigator, 2nd Lt Samuel O. Archer
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Clifton M. Dover
Engineer, T/Sgt Howard H. Mathis
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Gerald W. Amon
Assistant Engineer/Right Waist Gunner, S/Sgt George F. Parkinson
Assistant Radio Operator/Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt James Young
Armored/Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Leon W. Greco
Left Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Cecil D. Rudder

The Newport Times, March 20, 1950
Funeral and burial for Tech. Sgt. Howard H. Mathis, who was killed in action in Germany May 8, 1944, will be at Arlington Cemetery, Washington D.C. Sergeant Mathis was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Mathis, 424 West Poplar Street. Other survivors include four brothers, Howard, a twin, Carroll, Jack and Richard; and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur Whitehead and Miss Barbara Ann Mathis, all of Johnson City.

  • Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Date of birth:
  • 27 July 1921
  • Date of death: 8 May 1944
  • County: Cocke
  • Hometown: Johnson City
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 96th Bomber Group, 337th Bomber Squadron
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Awards: Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Middle Panel
  • Contact us to sponsor Howard H. Mathis

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