World War II Honoree

Paul Ellis Arnold

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Kingsport, Tennessee

Honored By

A Grateful American

He served in the 235th and Fifth Army as they invaded Europe through Salerno, Italy, to begin the formidable task of liberating Italy and its capitol, Rome. As the first allied combat troops on European soil and after a nine-month campaign through Italy, the Fifth Army liberated Rome on June 4, 1944-two days before the Normandy D-Day Invasion began. Despite his relative youth, he became a Sergeant leading his squad in building roads and bridges for the Fifth Army’s movements, often under active enemy fire.