Donald Joseph Mathy was born on January 9, 1922, in Clifton, Iroquois County, Illinois. He was the son of Edward Toussaint Mathy and Mary Elizabeth Riordan Mathy. He enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1941 before signing up for service with the Army in 1943. He served in the 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, as a Technical Sergeant during World War II.

TSgt Mathy was a platoon sergeant in A Company, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division. After arriving in France in January 1945, he saw combat starting in March near the Germany-Luxembourg border. He led his men across the Moselle and Rhine rivers and, on April 6 near Wutha, took command under fire and safely led his unit, earning the Bronze Star.

Later, he toured the liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp and helped uncover the REIMAHG underground aircraft factory. On April 17, 1945, while scouting a river crossing in Greiz, Germany, he was killed by a sniper. He is now buried in the Clifton Cemetery, Clifton, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA.Source of information: www.facebook.com/World War Pictures