Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
MATHEWS, Charles E
Date of birth
3 February 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Boise, Ada County, Idaho
Hometown
Lancaster, Erie County, New York

Military service

Service number
32380851
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
508th Bombardment Squadron,
351st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 April 1944
Place of death
Near Bergsdorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 5 19

Immediate family

Members
Earl Mathews (father)
Gladys Mathews (mother)
Ella M. Mathews (sister)
Eline M. Mathews (sister)
Leona Mathews (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31955
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Oranienburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Heinkel aviation industry
MACR: 4049

More information

S/Sgt Charles E. Mathews enlisted from Buffalo, New York on 21 July 1942. He was sent overseas in September 1943.

The airplane was hit by flak which set the right wing afire. Flames were also seen to come from the bomb bay. The plane dropped out of formation shortly after bombs away, lagging well behind but under control.

S/Sgt Mathews was last seen at the escape hatch, preparing to bail out. Reports indicate that he fell away from, or out of his parachute harness and fell to his death.

All remaining nine crew members bailed out safely and were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.8thafhs.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census

Photo source: Jac Engels, Buffalo Evening News - 24 May 1944