World War II Honoree

Paul Wesley Duran

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Spokane, Washington

Honored By

Richard R. Duran, Jr.

Relationship

Nephew

HE REPORTED FOR DUTY EARLY IN 1944, ASSIGNED AS A RADIO OPERATOR WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 856TH SQUADRON, 492ND BOMB GROUP. ON AUGUST, 4, 1944, HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN OVER GERMANY. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER AND WAS SENT TO STALAG LUFT 4 IN NE POLAND. IN FEBRUARY 1945, WITH THE RUSSIAN ARMY APPROACHING, THE COMMANDANT OF THE PRISON WAS ORDERED TO EVACUATE THE CAMP. THE PRISONERS OF WAR, IN GROUPS OF 250-300, MARCHED WEST INTO GERMANY AND THEN SOUTH. THE DAYS WERE LONG AND THE RATIONS WERE MINIMAL. ON MAY 2,1945 THEY WERE LIBERATED EAST OF HAMBURG BY BRITISH TROOPS. THE TRIP WAS 86 DAYS LING AND 600 MILES LONG.