World War II Honoree

Paul L. Hamaker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Solana Beach, California

Honored By

Jeremy Hamaker & Doug Arterburn

Relationship

Nephew and Grand Nephew

He was born September 15th, 1922, in Milford, New Jersey to parents Reuben and Lillian Hamaker. Paul grew up with a large family of 10 siblings living most of his life on the family farm in Milford, New Jersey. The family moved to San Diego California after the beginning of WWII. Paul worked at the family gas station Paul enlisted in the Army at Fort Macarthur San Pedro California on June 29th, 1944, and shipped off to Basic Training with Company D, 153rd BN, 91st Regiment, Camp Hood Texas. Letters home from boot camp showed that Paul was in good spirits but was getting tired of all the marching. He remarked in a letter home to his father in October 1944 that his unit marched over 4 miles in 45 minutes “I made it ..believe it or not, but didn’t think I would”. Paul was able to take leave in November of 1944. and visit the Hamaker family in California, prior to deploying to France A Notice of Change of Address showed Paul was temporarily located with CO. E. 13th BN. 4th Regiment, located at Fort Meade Maryland. Paul was ultimately assigned to 1st Platoon, Company D, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, known as the “Keystone Division”. The Keystone Division patch was red in color and the Germans after the bloody fighting in the Huertgen Forest called the division "The Bloody Bucket". He was killed in action on February 4th 1945 as the 28th ID was moving to liberate Alsace France. He gave his life in the service of his Country…and will always be remembered in the hearts and with pride to his family and to any American that loves freedom.