Paul Wallace Howard
Paul was called to serve his country on January 6, 1944, at the age of 18. He spent 17 weeks of basic training at Fort Fannin, Texas. Paul was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment and was deployed to the European Theater.
Paul was called to serve his country on January 6, 1944, at the age of 18. He spent 17 weeks of basic training at Fort Fannin, Texas. Paul was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment and was deployed to the European Theater.
He crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the USS Cristobal, arriving in Naples, Italy on July 15, 1944. Paul’s combat involved liberating European countries from Hitler’s control. One of the major battles in which he served was “COLMAR POCKET” which was one of the last regions in France that German Forces occupied. As Paul was called upon the engage in the Great Colmar Pocket Battle, located along the Rhine River, he was shot and wounded during heavy combat. Paul was treated for his injury at the 43rd General Hospital in France. As he was recuperating, his comrades captured Hitler’s Hideout. He was still in France when the end of WWII was proclaimed. Paul was honorably discharged on November 15, 1945 with the following honors: The Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, WWII Victory Medal, The European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Honorable Discharge Button and The Crouix de Guerre with Palm.
Paul married Charlene Harvell and they were the parents of three children, Mike Howard, Kim Howard Armer and Allison Howard Powell.
