Rank: Specialist 4
Unit: B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Selected Service
Date of birth: 11-Nov-1945
Hometown: Extension, Louisiana
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 2-Nov-1965
Start of tour: 20-Aug-1966
Incident date: 26-Feb-1967
Date of casualty: 26-Feb-1967
Age at death: 21
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Harry Mathis Jr was a passenger in armored personnel carrier on combat operation when vehicle hit a hostile mine.
Five Blackhorse troopers died as a result of this incident
SP4 Jesse L. Brandon
SGT Johnny Edward Brumley
SP4 Rodger Dale Lewis
SP4 Harry Mathis Jr
PVT Carlos Medina
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Mathis Cemetery, Extension, Louisiana, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR MATHIS HARRY MATHIS JR
26 FEBRUARY 1967
B TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Mathis distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force on 26 February 1967 while assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Mathis was serving as left gunner of an armored cavalry assault vehicle that was part of a relief column attempting to reach another armored cavalry platoon which was under enemy siege. As the column made contact with the enemy, Specialist Mathis’ track immediately received intense Viet Gong fire. As the vehicle turned to bring effective fire on the enemy, a rocket struck the cupola and mortally wounded the track commander. Specialist Mathis completely disregarding his own personal safety, instantly left the track to provide assistance. As Specialist Mathis reached the track commander, a Viet Cong claymore mine was detonated nearby, wounding him. He died later as a result of his wounds. Specialist Four Mathis’ rare courage, fearless aggressiveness, and extreme loyalty to his comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 406 (20 March 1967)