World War II Honoree

John L. Paul

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Carol J.Paul

Relationship

Wife

BOOT CAMP AND RADIO SCHOOL AT SAMPSON NEW YORK. ASSIGNED TO THE AMPHIBIOUS CORPS AND TRAINED AT SOLOMON'S ISLAND, MARYLAND. SENT TO NEW ORLEANS AND ASSIGNED TO LCT 1269, WHICH WAS LOADED ONTO LST 812 FOR THE TRIP ACROSS THE PACIFIC. UNLOADED FROM LST 812 AT SAIPAN AND PUT ABOARD LSD 5 ALONG WITH 2 OTHER LCT CRAFT TO BE TRANSPORTED TO MAKE THE INVASION OF IWO JIMA. WAS IN THE THIRD WAVE WITH FIVE MARINE FLAME TANKS ON BOARD. WHEN THE FAMOUS FLAG WAS RAISED, THEY HIT THE BEACH BELOW THE 'MOUNTAIN' THREE TIMES TO DRAW ENEMY FIRE. SPENT THREE MONTHS AT IWO JIMA UNLOADING EVERYTHING BECAUSE THERE WHERE NO DOCKS. AFTER THAT, WAS TRANSFERRED TO LST 1047 AND TOOK THE FIRST OCCUPATION FORCES INTO SASEBO, JAPAN. RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, NAVY OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH CLASP (ASIA), PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL AND COMBAT ACTION RIBBON. SERVED 1/44 TO 5/46.