World War II Honoree

Paul D. Kinnaman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

A 1933 GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 14, 1942 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL FROM COMPANY Z, 3RD ENGINEER SCHOOL REGIMENT ON JUNE 8, 1943 BY REASON OF DESIRE TO ACCEPT A COMMISSION. ON JUNE 9, 1943, ENTERED THE OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL PROGRAM. ATTENDED THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA; THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT SCHOOL AT RICHMOND, VIRGINIA; AND THE FIRE PREVENTION SCHOOL AT NEW ORLEANS. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON NOVEMBER 14, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED OVERSEAS AS A FIRE FIGHTING UNIT COMMANDER AND LATER, STATESIDE, AS AN AVIATION ENGINEERING UNIT COMMANDER. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT WITH THE 246TH ARMY AIR FORCE BASE UNIT ON MARCH 19, 1946 AT PATTERSON FIELD, OHIO.