World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his mother) by Major General Barton K. Yount at Goodfellow Field (now Goodfellow Air Force Base), San Angelo, Texas on September 21, 1943, for his actions as a 1st lieutenant with the 359th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, US Army Air Corps, on March 18, 1943, in the sky over Vegesack, Germany. He enlisted in the US Army in June 1940 and transferred to the US Army Air Corps to join his brother Mark. After completing his aviation cadet training at Goodfellow Field, Texas, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and was sent to England and participated in 14 combat missions. On that day, while on a bombing mission over Germany, an exploding antiaircraft shell sent fragments into his aircraft, shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the right side and abdomen. Despite being mortally wounded, he managed to position himself over the Norden bombsite, located the target and dropped his bombs. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His brother was killed in action over the North Sea two months later. His Medal of Honor is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In 1988 Mathis Municipal Airport in San Angelo was named in honor of both Mathis brothers. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany on 18 March 1943. First 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 upon 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 bombsight 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. First Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit."