Private First Class Mathony was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was Killed in Action while attacking Yongdung-po, South Korea, on 16 September 1950.

Mathony was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the Asia-Pacific Theater of Operations Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.