On This Day in History / March 18, 2023 1943: 1st Lt Jack W. Mathis of the U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group as the leading bombardier of his squadron flying over Vegesack, Germany was hit with antiaircraft fire and was mortally wounded as well as knocked from the bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier compartment. 1st Lt Mathis dragged himself back to the sight released his bombs and then died at his post.