1Apr1917 – 22Nov1945
Thank you to Andrew and the 81st Infantry Division Archive (www.81stdivisionarchive.com) for providing additional information and documentation regarding Paul’s military service.
Edison Days
Paul graduated with the Class of January 1936.
Military Service
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 321st Infantry Regiment – 81st Infantry Division
Paul’s path to the Army is unknown. His rank indicates that he was with the 321st Infantry Regiment for an extended period.
The 321st Infantry Regiment saw its first combat at Angaur in the Palau Islands in the Pacific Theater in September and October 1944.
On 26Nov1944 as a member of the Military Police platoon, Paul was sent to Ngeregong, Palau Islands help with mop-up operations against the Japanese. That lasted through March of 1945.
In February 1945 the MP platoon was authorized to add the Bronze Star to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon for participation in that campaign at any point between 31Jan1944 and 1Dec1944.
After Peleliu they were sent to a rear area for a short period of rest, refitting, and retraining. At some point during this period Paul left the Military Police platoon and joined Company B.
In mid-April 1945 Paul, Company B, and majority of the 81st Infantry Division were sent to Leyte in the Philippines. Their task was to clean out pockets of Japanese resistance on the island which the Allies had originally invaded in October of 1944. The fighting on the island lasted into August 1945
Paul and several members of his regiment were awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for their service on Leyte. The effective date of the award was 13July1945.
Japan announced their surrender to the Allies on 15August1945. The official signing of the Instruments of Surrender took place on 2September 1945.
On 18Sept1945, Paul and the 321st Infantry Regiment sailed from Leyte, the Philippines to Honshu in northern Japan. His was one of the first units sent to Japan for occupation duties.
Just 2 months later, on 22Nov1945, Paul was killed when his barracks caught fire.
Paul was originally buried in a temporary military cemetery in Japan. In 1948 his remains were returned to the United States for reburial.
Paul is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
Edison Heroes 