World War II Honoree

Paul A. Gonce

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. SERVED FOR 16 MONTHS, INCLUDING AS A PARACHUTIST OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE 'ALL AMERICAN' DIVISION. STATIONED IN NORTH AFRICA, ITALY, NORTHERN IRELAND, ENGLAND, FRANCE AND HOLLAND. PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE NAPLES-FOGGIA, AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. HIS DIVISION AIR-ASSAULTED THE NIJMEGEN-ARNHEM, HOLLAND AREA ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1944. WOUNDED IN ACTION AND AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. ALSO AWARDED SILVER COMBAT PARACHUTIST WINGS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD FOR HIS UNIT BEING CITED, AND AWARDED THE NETHERLANDS MILITARY ORDER OF WILLIAM, DEGREE OF KNIGHT FOURTH CLASS. AUTHORIZED THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR HIS UNIT BEING CITED TWICE IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY OF THE BELGIAN ARMY FOR ACTIONS IN THE ARDENNES, AND AGAIN IN BELGIUM AND GERMANY. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.