Elmer C. Mathews, class of 1941, entered the service in January 1942 as a private. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1942, and assigned to the 106 Infantry Division. In 1944, he was transferred to the 999 Engineer Treadway Bridge Company, Corps of Engineers, which built about 100 bridges before the end of the way.

After the war ended, he was discharged from the Army and joined the Engineer Reserve, serving until 1977.