Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort to Kassel, left formation as ailerons were freezing, reduced his altitude accompanied by wingman. Overflying a crashed B-17 the pair made ready to destroy it by dropping fuel tanks and strafing them, when flak opened up and hit A/C P-51D 44-15555, wounding Lt Archibald in the leg. Returning from this incident, the pair ended up in a melee with Fw190's and were shot down by flak having downed 10 Fw190's between them [Lt Archibald 4, Lt Olson 3, 3 crashed in panic]. A/C crashed near Cologne when Lt Archibald passed out from loss of blood and exploded, ejecting Lt Archibald who amazingly was found alive but unconscious 7 hours later. Lt Olson baled when his A/C P-51D 44-14131 was hit by flak and exploded covering him in burning fuel and oil, which he extinguished prior to opening his parachute, both became POW's. MACR 11302.



Jack H. Smith, Mustangs & Unicorns, and USAF Historical Research Agency website credit Archibald with five victories in one day, 18 December 1944, the day that he was shot down; these victories are not recognized by USAF Historical Study 85 and he was not officially credited with any victories or with ace status when the study was completed in 1978. Captain Archibald's presence on the USAF HRA website may indicate that his case has been resolved to reflect the victories of 18 December 1944. The victories are not recognized in Kent D. Miller, Jigger, Tinplate & Redcross. Listed as RTD by MACR 11302; account of Prisoner of War (POW) experience appears in Jack H. Smith, Mustangs & Unicorns.



Awards: AM (10 OLC), POW, PH (1 OLC), , Bronze Star, Good Conduct, American Campaign, EAME, World War II Victory, National Service, Overseas Service, USAF Service.