Paul registered for US Selective service on February 16, 1942 and enlisted at camp Shelby on September 24, 1942. Paul weighed 140 pounds, was 5 foot 11 inches and had a ruddy complexion with brown hair and blue eyes according to his draft registration card. According to his IDPF, Paul was a Protestant and weighed 128 pounds at the time of enlistment. Paul was a member of Company D of the 83rd Chemical Battalion.
The 83rd Chemical Battalion The 83rd Chemical Battalion left the United States on April 29th, 1943 to participate in the Mediterranean theater. The Battalion acted as mid-range artillery support for several infantry divisions and employed the use of 36 4.2-inch mortars. Over the course of WWII, the Battalion served a total of 508 days in combat and participated in a total of eight campaigns. The Battalion was awarded in total ,3 Distinguished Service Crosses (Posthumous), 2 Legions of Merit, 39 Silver Stars, 9 Soldiers Medals ,97 Bronze Stars, 5 Croix de Guerre, 876 Purple Hearts and ,91 Oak leaf Clusters for their service in World War II. During the Sicilian Campaign, Company D of the 83rd Chemical Battalion was tasked with supporting 1st Division’s 16th Infantry Regiment in a position right of Gela. The enemy overran the position of Co. D, but Co. D was able to hold their ground, defeat enemy infantry and provided cover for a counterattack by the 18th Infantry Regiment. Before the invasion of the Italian mainland, Company D was assigned to a force tasked with the mission of securing the left flank of the Fifth Army. Company D provided mortar fire support for the British 2nd and 41st Commandos on September 17th 1943. Afterwards Company D was reunited with Company C at Chiunzi Pass on September 23, 1943. Eventually as the task force was able to overrun the enemy position, the men of the 83rd Chemical Battalions Companies C and D became some of the first American troops to reach Naples. Sinking of the LST-422 In preparation for the Battle of Anzio, the LST-422 was tasked with transporting trucks, mortars and supplies to allied forces in Italy. Although an American vessel, the landing ship, tank was part of a fleet of 13 LSTs under command of Lieutenant Commander Broadhurst after being commissioned to the British Royal Navy through the lend-lease act. Companies C, D, and the Headquarters of the 83rd chemical battalion, were aboard the LST-422. The ship struck a mine just 3 miles off the coast of Anzio, igniting the mortar phosphorus. Cans of gasoline and shells fragmented and exploded killing many of the men aboard. Others drowned as water rushed into the sleeping quarters on tank deck. Of the original 600 men aboard the LST-422, 427 including Paul, were killed. |