Matthias James Lynaugh was born in Madison, Wisconsin on July 23, 1897 to Peter and Mary (Gallagher) Lynaugh. He attended local schools and enlisted into the Wisconsin National Guard in April 1917, where he became a private in the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, Company G. When the Guard was federalized into the 32nd Infantry Division, his unit became the 127th Infantry Regiment. By July 1918 he was fighting in Europe and on July 31 he was gassed at Dravegny. He later suffered a shrapnel wound in his left leg. After the war, Lynaugh remained in Germany with the occupation forces until April 1919. Upon returning to the United States, he found work as an electrician in Madison, eventually working for the University of Wiscosnin. He married Anastasia Doyle in November 1923 and the couple had three children: Matthew, Mary, and Kevin. Lynaugh became extremely involved in various veterans organizations including the American Legion, La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (40 et 8), the Dane County Red Arrow Club, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Thirty-Second Division Veterans Association. He also was intimately involved with the Old Company G Veterans Association, the group that formed among his former comrades from the 127th Regiment. He served various offices in all these groups. During World War II he became involved with Civil Defense at the University. He remained active with veterans causes throughout his life and volunteered at Middleton Veterans Hospital in his retirement. He passed away in Madison on September 22, 1991.
