World War II Honoree

Paul L. Wilder

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Monroe, Michigan

Honored By

Paula S. Wilder

Relationship

Daughter

ENTERED SERVICE AS A PARATROOPER AND TRANSFERRED TO THE INFANTRY AFTER RECOVERING FROM A BROKEN BACK SUSTAINED DURING A JUMP. HE SERVED AND FOUGHT IN EUROPE IN THE 7TH ARMY, 63RD INFANTRY DIVISION, 253RD REGIMENT, I COMPANY AND IN THE WEAPONS PLATOON. HEADED A SQUAD OF 60MM MORTARS, WHICH INCLUDED 4 MEN AND HIMSELF. THE 63RD DIVISION LEFT CAMP SHANKS AND SHIPPED OUT FOR OVERSEAS FROM NEW YORK CITY PIER. AFTER 17 DAYS AT SEA, LANDED AT THE SECOND FRONT IN MARSEILLES, FRANCE. THE 63RD FOUGHT THROUGH FRANCE AND CROSSED THE RHINE RIVER INTO GERMANY. THE DIVISION WAS IN HEIDELBERG AT THE END OF THE WAR.