World War II Honoree

Paul Yanak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Honored By

A Grateful American

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY HE WAS STATIONED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC WITH THE 38TH INFANTRY DIVISION, 'THE AVENGERS OF BATAAN'. HE LANDED WITH THE INITIAL ASSAULT WAVE IN THE INVASION OF BATAAN AND ALSO FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF LEYTE, LUZON AND CORREGIDOR. WOUNDED TWICE, HE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR, EXPERT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR BATTLE STARS AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH A BRONZE STAR.