John W Matthews, Jr.

Lt John W Matthews, Jr.  321st Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Squad in the 57th Bomb Wing of the 12th Air Force.  Lt Matthews flew Combat in the B-25 mitchell Medium Bomber and his favorite ship was the "My Georgia Peach" (photo above). 

***Lt Matthews made Captain on 16 Jan. 1945 and went home on 13 Feb. 1945.***

When a new Pilot came to the war-zone, he was given to a seasoned Pilot to learn the "Lay of the land" and Combat tactics under the current conditions.  Most became fast friends and when returned to the States, our brave men just "went-on" and made their lives.  Although they often did not keep in touch, they did think of each other through the years.  Capt. John "Red" Matthews, Jr. had RED hair and lots of freckles ;)  From daughter Cay, " My father had carrot red hair and millions of freckles and big dimples."

Partial Missions Summary; Missions flown with 446th BS Lt John "Jack" Fitzgerald

25 May 44

446th BS:  Pilot Log of:  Fitzgerald, John (NMI) “Jack”, 2Lt, pilot (Pilot)

Co-Pilot:  Matthews    A/C B-25J-1-NC:  43-4052 “Lil Butch”

Local:  Training         

Flying Time:  1:20 (72nd mission in MTO)

Matthews, John Walker, Jr., 2Lt, pilot

26 May 44

446th BS:  Pilot Log of:  Fitzgerald, John (NMI) “Jack”, 2Lt, pilot (mission 41, Pilot)

Co-Pilot:  Matthews    A/C B-25J-1-NC:  43-4052 “Lil Butch”

Target:  Tivoli Town Road Block, Italy.         

Flying Time:  2:40 (73rd mission in MTO)

Matthews, John Walker, Jr., 2Lt, pilot

27 May 44

446th BS:  Pilot Log of:  Fitzgerald, John (NMI) “Jack”, 2Lt, pilot (mission 42, Pilot)

Co-Pilot:  Matthews    A/C B-25J-1-NC:  43-4052 “Lil Butch”

Target:  Orvieto RR Bridge, Italy.      

Flying Time:  3:00 (74th mission in MTO)

Matthews, John Walker, Jr., 2Lt, pilot

27 May 44

446th BS:  Pilot Log of:  Fitzgerald, John (NMI) “Jack”, 2Lt, pilot (mission 43, Pilot)

Co-Pilot:  Matthews    A/C B-25J-1-NC:  43-27501

Target:  Massa RR Bridge, Italy.       

Flying Time:  2:10 (75th mission in MTO)

Matthews, John Walker, Jr., 2Lt, pilot

29 May 44

446th BS:  Pilot Log of:  Fitzgerald, John (NMI) “Jack”, 2Lt, pilot (Pilot)

Co-Pilot:  Matthews    A/C B-25J-1-NC:  43-4052 “Lil Butch”

Local:  Training         

Flying Time:  2:00 (76th mission in MTO)

Matthews, John Walker, Jr., 2Lt, pilot

30 May 44

446th BS:  Pilot Log of:  Fitzgerald, John (NMI) “Jack”, 2Lt, pilot (mission 44, Pilot)

Co-Pilot:  Matthews    A/C B-25J-1-NC:  43-4052 “Lil Butch”

Target:  Tarquinia Rail Bridge, Italy (Alt)     

Flying Time:  3:50 (77th mission in MTO)

Matthews, John Walker, Jr., 2Lt, pilot