Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Mathew
Michael
Gordon
, Jr.
DNB (1945)
April 21, 1919

–

August 10, 1945

Born:

Denver

, 

Colorado

Home:

Pueblo

, 

Colorado

Buried: 

Honolulu

, 

Hawaii

Cemetery:

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

During World War II, Mathew Gordon became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was injured in the crash of an L-5B he was piloting on February 25, 1944 while attempting to rescue a downed pilot, but returned to service. He was killed in a P-51 near Kalaikunda, India on August 10, 1945, only days before the Japanese agreed to surrender.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    75th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Mathew Michael Gordon, Jr. (ASN: 0-432260), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    1st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    2d Air Commando Group

    Division:

    10th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Army Air Forces, India-Burma Sector, General Orders No. 89 (April 13, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Mathew Michael Gordon, Jr. (ASN: 0-432260), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 1st Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Commando Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Gordon, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.