Paul E Linnell Sr - WWII War Heroes, World War II - Tribute site by Q Madp

Paul E Linnell Sr

Albany, Oregon

December 17, 2014

Age	Military	Rank	Unit/Location
90	Army	Sgt	75th Infantry Division

Paul entered the Army in 1943 and served with the 75th Infantry Division. He was taken as a Prisoner of War at Malempre, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge on Christmas Day, 1944. He was liberated on March 28, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Medal.

From The Albany Democrat-Herals democratherald.com 12/26/14:

Paul E. Linnell Sr
Jan. 5, 1924 – Dec. 17, 2014

Paul E. Linnell Sr., 90, of Albany passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House, Albany.

Paul was born in Almena, Kansas, to George and Ladoska (Hines) Linnell. They moved to Salem, Oregon, in 1934.

Paul left school and joined the Army in 1943 with the 75th Infantry Division. Paul was taken POW/MIA at Malempre, Belgium, during the Battle of Bulge on Dec. 25, 1944, and liberated March 28, 1945. Paul was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Medal of Honor.

Paul worked at a plywood mill for many years, later joining Wah Chang, from which he retired in 1982.

Paul married Mary Ellen Christmas in July, 1945, and together they had two children, Dorothy Johnstone and Paul Jr. Mary passed away June 1972.

In 1977, Paul married Ida Hopkins (Dale) and had the pleasure of gaining seven step-children: Frankie Quigley, Shirley Durrett, Lorraine Thompson, Belva Hadley, Glenda Olson, Joe and Michael Hopkins.

Paul was very involved with Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls when his children were younger. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gold panning. Paul and Ida traveled during the early years of their retirement, before settling back down in Lebanon.

Paul is survived by his wife, Ida; six daughters and three sons; two sisters, Ida Mae Epps and Dossie Elliott; 21 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary; brother, Daryl; and sisters, LaVon Caldwell and Wanda Satter.

A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at American Legion Post 51, 480 Main St., Lebanon.

For Memorial Service snapshots, Click photo below:

February 27, 2015

From The Albany Democrat-Herals democratherald.com 04/15/2009:

Paul Linnell Sr., 85, of Lebanon also will be inducted into the Oregon Military Hall of Fame on Saturday. His induction comes under the group category of Oregon prisoners of war, “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.”

Linnell is one of several former POWs who now live in the mid-valley. Other Linn County POWs to be named to the Hall of Fame in this category, but who are not attending this month's ceremony, are Richard E. Chandler, Joseph L. Dilley and Charles F. Hunt of Albany; and Mike Ryan and Everett T. Statton of Lebanon.

"I never figured I'd ever be in it. I didn't even know we had one," Linnell said. "But it's a great honor."

As a junior in high school knowing he was soon to be drafted, Linnell tried to enlist in the Navy. It had no openings, so he enlisted in the Army on March 19, 1943, and was assigned to the 75th Infantry Division. He took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and became an instructor.

He was knocked unconscious Dec. 25, 1944, at Malempre, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Left for dead, he was taken by Germans, and shipped in a box car to Stalag 12-A. He and other soldiers were liberated March 28, 1945, in Honstaff, Germany.

Fifty-four years later, Linnell received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star at a ceremony in Prineville. He helped design the memorial there for POWs, "the only one like it in the world," he said.

He also received the Good Conduct Medal, an American Campaign Medal, EAME Medal with three Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal and POW Medal.

Linnell was honored as one of Linn County's 12 Veterans of the Year in 2003 and was among the grand marshals of the Veterans Day Parade in 2008. He is a member of American Legion Post 51 in Lebanon and retains his membership in the Prineville chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jennifer Moody

From The Albany Democrat-Herals democratherald.com 11/11/08:

2008 Linn County Veterans of the Year
Rick Bauman

Rick Bauman of Lebanon served for two years and seven months in Vietnam as a petty officer third class with the U.S. Navy Seabees. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, three Bronze Stars, FMF Combat in Service, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, two Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations, Navy "E" Ribbon and Vietnam Campaign Medal 1960. He has been the secretary/treasurer for Chapter 585 of the Vietnam Veterans of American for five years, and the finance officer at American Legion Post 51 for a year and a half. He has been an active recruiter for the VVA, and a tireless volunteer for both groups.

Robert Beall

Robert J. Beall of Lebanon retired from the U.S. Air Force after 26 years of service, including tours in Germany, 1958-1961; Japan, 1963-1969; Vietnam, 1970-1971; and temporary duty in many other countries. Some of his awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southeast Asia Expeditionary Medal, Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He is a member of the 40 & 8, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masons, Disabled Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Assocation. He is a volunteer van driver, taking veterans to the VA hospital in Portland, and helps with the 40 & 8 bingo program to raise funds for the group's donations to the community.

Melvin Chaput

Melvin Lee Chaput of Albany volunteered to join the U.S. Navy shortly before his 18th birthday, with hopes of serving on a big ship. He was sent to Vietnam to command small boats on the rivers, where he spent 18 months. He was wounded and hospitalized in Saigon for a time before returning to his post. He was honorably discharged to the Naval Reserve. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Pistol Shot Medal, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon and Combat Action Ribbon. He turned down the Purple Heart. He is now active with the USCG Auxiliary and is division captain for the 6th Division 13th Coast Guard District. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion.

Brunk Conley

Brunk W. Conley of Sublimity enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1981. After many years of active duty, he joined the Oregon Army National Guard and eventually served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He also served in New Orleans for Operation Katrina, and in Afghanistan training, equipping and stationing the Afghan National Army. He is currently the State Command Sergeant Major for Oregon. Among his honors are the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Oregon Exceptional Service Medal. He has a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in political science. In his civilian life, he has taught high school chemistry and physics for many years.

Robert Gierau

Robert F. Gierau of Albany served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 and the Air Force Reserves from 1949 to 1952. While in the Navy during World War II, he served as a pharmacist's mate while stationed in Enewetak, Marshall Islands. He then enlisted in the Air Force Reserves, where he served as a sergeant major of the mechanical group, 403 Troop Carrier Wing. He was honorably discharged in May 1952. He received the American AREA Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Good Conduct Medal. He has been a member of the American Legion for 61 years. He also visits six high schools in the Albany area and sends several boys to Boys State every year.

Bob Gore

Bob Gore of Scio was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Hood, Texas, for medical training. He was in Vietnam from July 1967 to August 1968, and was a specialist fifth class while serving as a medic with the First Infantry Division, the "Big Red One," in Phue-Vinh and Quan-Loi during the Tet Offensive. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Vietnam Service National Defense. He was honorably discharged in August 1968 and moved to Lebanon. He worked for the Santiam school district for 26 years, and has had many officer positions in Albany VFW post 584, Cooties Pup Tent 12, American Legion post 10, AmVets 15 and Vietnam Veterans of America 585.

Nicoline "Nicky" Jones

Nicky Jones of Corvallis joined the Navy after graduating from Corvallis High School and served at Treasure Island, Calif., in various jobs. She met her husband there and after she got out they spent the next 10 years in the Navy in Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Greece and Spain. They moved to Oregon with their three children and adopted one more. Nicky helped out in the childrens' schools and joined several clubs where she was in many offices. She has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 11 for more than 17 years, and has been adjutant for several years and has worked on the Memorial Day programs for five years. Her two daughters and two sons are veterans and also members of Post 11.

John E. LaFranchise

John E. LaFranchise was born and raised in Oregon. He graduated college and entered the Army on the same day, Jan. 10, 1951. He was issued orders to proceed to Camp Roberts in California as a second lieutenant in the infantry. This was the start of his Army career as a training officer, where he had to walk and run over every hill and desert in California. He applied for Army flight school and was accepted as a student at an Air Force base in San Murcos, Texas. Having successfully completed the pilot course, he was sent to Korea in January 1952. He flew missions with an infantry unit for two years, then was reassigned to Hallomer Air Force Base in New Mexico to find missiles and rockets in the dessert. He spent the next 20 years of military service going to civilian and military schools. He retired in 1981. He is associated with American Legion Post 51.

John H. Landers Jr.

John H. Landers Jr. of Albany served in the Army from 1942 to 1945, including duty in the European Theater from September 1944 through August 1945 as a second lieutenant with the 217th Field Artillery in the 44th Infantry Division. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery and also was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle. Landers was presented with the British Military Cross, one of only 10 awarded to American GIs. His other miliary honors include a Bronze Star, the WWII Campaign Medal, the Army Reserve Medal of Service and a Presidential Unit Citation. He also served in the Army Reserves until 1982, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and was Grand Marshall of the 2007 Veterans Day Parade.

John Langdon

John Langdon of Albany served with the Marine 1st Division from 1963 through 1968, stationed for the most part at Fort Sill, Okla. He was involved in artillery training and served as section chief for Bravo Battery. He is currently executive officer for the Linn Benton County Young Marines program, which was initiated in September and will graduate its first class in December. Langdon was named 2008 Marine of the Year by the local Marine Corp League Detachment 374.

Paul E. Linnell Sr.

Serving in the Army from 1943 to 1945, Paul E. Linnell was a sergeant with the 75th Infantry Division. He saw duty in Europe beginning in October 1944 and was wounded in action on Christmas Day in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. He was taken prisoner and held at Stalag 12-A. He was liberated in March 1945. He received a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, EAME Medal with three Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal and POW Medal. He is a member of the Big Timber Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War.

Clara Moomey

Clara Moomey, 88, of Junction City is a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, and served for several years during the Cold War. She was on active duty in the Naval Reserves from 1944-64, rising to the rank of chief petty officer, teleman. She helped found WAVES National Unit 138 and was the first treasurer and a participating plank member since 1994. She participated in the Sept. 2, 1995, commemoration in Bremerton, Wash., of the signing of the peace treaty ending the war with Japan. She was an early member of and contributor to the Women Veterans' Memorial in Washington, D.C. She has received the National Defense Medal from World War II and Korea and the Medallion of Honor and Remembrance.

Ralph J. Morse

Ralph J. Morse of Sweet Home joined the Marine Corps at age 18 in 1946 and served until 1949. He was in the California National Guard for 30 years. He served as a mechanic and a crew chief with the F4U4. In the Guard he worked at an Ajax missile site, and then went to a Hercules site. He retired from the National Guard as a warrant officer 4. He has been an officer in the AM VETS Post 13 and was a board member. He helps out at veterans functions in the area, including helping remodel the veterans club kitchen, he cooks breakfasts, and attends meetings and conventions. He received the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, a California National Guard Ribbon, the California Drill Attendance Ribbon three times, and the Reserve Components Achievement Medal.

Roy Poppleton Sr.

Roy Poppleton Sr. of Albany served on the USS Currier in Korean waters during the Korean Conflict. He served in the Navy from February 1953 to November 1956, reaching the rank of boiler tender third class. He is a four-time commander of Willamette Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 17, and now is first vice commander; a three-year commander of the VFW Post No. 584; a member of the new VFW Color Guard; a five-year past commander of American Legion Post No. 11; and a 15-year member of the Post's color guard. He served two years as commander of Legion District No. 3. He serves on the executive board of the Linn County Veterans Memorial Association. He has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Les Schmidt

Les Schmidt of Albany served in the U.S. Army from November 1952 to October 1954, spending 17 months in Korea. His awards include the Army Good Conduct, National Defense, Korean Defense, ROK Korean War Service, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, 50th Korean Anniversary Commemorative, Cold War Victory Commemorative and U.S. Army Commemorative. Schmidt joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1961 and has held various positions. He is also a member of the American Legion and Eagles and is a board member of Christmas Storybook Land. He decorates cemeteries and attends local parades as a Korean War veteran.

Jerry Scott

Jerry V. Scott of Scio enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953. He was in Korea from January 1955 to March 1956 and then served in Japan until December of that year. He enlisted a second time and served until 1961, achieving the rank of sergeant E-4. His awards include the Good Conduct, MARCOR, National Defense Service, Korean Service, Korean Defense Service and Veterans of Oregon Honorable Service. Scott is a life member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has held an office in each of these organizations and helped with fundraising.

Don Stevenson

Don Stevenson of Albany served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, obtaining the rank of major. He flew B24s with the 13th Air Force in the Pacific Theater from Australia to Okinawa. He received a variety of medals, including the Purple Heart. Stevenson is a 30-year member of American Legion Post 10. He works to ensure the post's "Task Force Ten's" newsletter is mailed to more than 2,000 members of the Legion family each month. He has donated many hours at the post's coffee trailer at a rest area along Interstate 5 and has supported the auxiliary's annual rummage sale.

Almena Legion celebrates 80 years, honors members
Submitted by jerry Gutzman - Solana Beach, California
As published in the Norton Daily Telegram - Norton, Kansas -April 2002

The Paul D. Linnell American Legion Post No. 266 in Almena celebrated its 80th
birthday and honored 50- year members during a recent Sunday dinner and
program at the Post Home m downtown Almena
The Almena American Legion Post was chartered in 1922.
It was named in honor of Paul d. Linnell, who was the first veteran from
Almena killed in World War I.
Paul E. Linnell Sr., a nephew of the Post's namesake, and his wife, Ida, Lebanon, Oregon,
were special guests.

Other guests were Violet Volgamore, Norton, and her son Dale and wife Phyllis, from Almena.
Receiving certificates for 50-year continuous membership in the Almena American Legion Post were Joe McFarland ai:ld Vernon D. Roberts. Dean Wilnerd, post adjutant, made the presentation to Joe and Vernon. Helmi Moody and Adelia Wilnerd received 50-year continuous
membership certificates from Elda Schalansky, Auxiliary president.
The present post home was dedicated on April 25, 1948 during the sixth District Convention in Norton. Keith Sebelius was commander and Mae Baker was Auxiliary president. Not until that time did the post have a permanent home.

Paul E. Linnell made a special presentation to the post of his uncle's Purple Heart, World War I victory medal and 89th Division patch. Nephew Paul also served America as a soldier in World War II. He received his purple heart in 1998, 54 years after being wounded a
left for dead on Christmas Day, 1944. On Dec. 14, Sgt. Linnell and Company C, 209th Infantry arrived in LaHarve, France. From there they went to Brussels, Belgium and
on to Manhay. On Dec. 23, his company was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division which
was moving south to Belle Haie. That was where the 2nd and 3rd Panzer Company of the
German Army trapped them. Company C was ordered to attack along both sides of the road but
was unable to do so.

American soldiers were being shot to pieces. On Christmas Day, Sgt Linnell was wounded
and left for dead. The Germans later found him unconscious in a half-track and took
him as a prisoner of war.

In March 1945, members of the 99th Division found and rescued the group of prisoners that
included Sgt. Linnell. Soon after, he was given a medical discharge. Paul had been listed as killed in action. He was the only survivor from his platoon. For years he
wondered how he had become a POW. It wasn't until four decades later, when he attended a
reunion of the 75th Division in Seattle, that he learned what had happened. He met Vic
Post, the runner tor his platoon's lieutenant, who had been killed in the ambush in Belle Haie.
He had listed Paul as killed in action. A year after meeting with Post, Paul met Sylvester Lombardo, the sergeant who had loaded him into the half-track in which he awoke a POW.

"I had no memory of being wounded," says Paul. "I had a head wound and was probably very bloody.
Lombardo leaded me into the half-track because it was thought the Germans could take care of me quicker. I came to with Germans all around."
Paul is still not certain how he was knocked unconscious but, because of a scar on his head, he believes he was hit by shrapnel. He didn't receive a Purple Heart for his wound and never expected to.
Until, in 1993, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion started working on it.
Paul said that his family moved from Almena to Oregon when he was nine or ten years of age.
Paul became of member of the Almena American Legiqn Post two years ago.

From The Corvallis Gazette-Times gazettetimes.com 11/12/03:

12 honored as ‘Veterans of the Year' 2003

Twelve people were honored as "Veterans of the Year" during the annual Veterans of the Year Banquet at American Legion Post 10 in Albany.

The honorees are:

Leonard Blanchan

Leonard Blanchan of Lebanon joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served until 1946. He was a tail gunner on B-29s and earned a Wings Gunnery award and Good Conduct Medal. He was a corporal.

Blanchan has been a member of the American Legion Post 51 for 25 years and is on the post board of trustees.

Doug Broughton

Doug Broughton of Albany served in the Army from 1966 to 1970. He spent two years in Germany with the 23rd Engineers and 18 months on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea with the 1st Cavalry. He received the National Defense, Good Conduct and Unit Commendation awards.

Broughton volunteers for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 584. He maintains the landscape and yards, helps with meals and is an instrumental part of barbecues and picnics. He is often involved in charity fund-raisers and the delivery of Christmas baskets.

Broughton worked for Willamette Industries Duraflake for 25 years and enjoys participating in classic car "cruise-ins" in the area.

Craig Derush

Craig Derush of Albany entered the Navy in 1990 and served a Persian Gulf tour from 1991 to 1992. In 1993, he was on Mediterranean Deployment.

After his discharge in 1994, Derush joined the Disabled American Veterans. He immediately began assisting other veterans by ensuring that they receive the necessary information and materials to complete the benefits process.

His dedication to veterans, their benefits and improving the system has led Derush to a job as a National Service Officer. Derush is one of the youngest commanders in the DAV.

Mildred Kalinauskas

Mildred "Mickey" Kalinauskas of Corvallis served as yeoman first class in the Navy from 1944 to 1946.

She was born in Washington and lived in the Willamette Valley since childhood. After World War II, Kalinauskas worked as a legal secretary and assistant until her 70s.

Kalinauskas is involved with many activities including the Cat's Meow gift shop. She is a member of the American Legion and Auxiliary and is now the secretary. She has been president of Cascade Seafarers for five years.

Kalinauskas was a Woman of the Moose for more than 25 years and was a state officer one year.

Paul Linnell

Paul Linnell of Lebanon enlisted in the Army on March 19, 1943, and was assigned to the 75th Infantry Division.

He was wounded Dec. 25, 1944, at Malempre, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Linnell was left for dead, taken by Germans and shipped in a box car. He and other soldiers were liberated March 28, 1945, in Honstaff, Germany.

Fifty-four years later, Linnell received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star at a ceremony in Prineville. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, an American Campaign Medal, EAME Medal with three Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal and POW Medal.

Linnell is a member of the Big Timber Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War.

Larry Miller

Larry Miller of Salem was a seaman apprentice in the Navy Seabees in 1977 and 1978. He was in the Navy Amphibious Construction Battalion and earned a Boat Cocksin License.

He is commander at AmVets Post 15 in Albany and Second Vice Commander at the AmVets Department of Oregon.

Garner L. Pool

Garner L. Pool of Albany served in the Navy from August 1942 to August 1948. He spent 25 months and 19 days aboard the USS Cascade in the South Pacific. He also spent time aboard the USS Woodworth, USS Henley and USS Yosemite, where he was located in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He received a Pacific Theater Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

He was commander of American Legion Post 10 in 1958. He served as the chairman of three state conventions and was oratorical chairman at the post, district and state levels. Pool served in many other officer positions at various times. He was editor from 1968 to 1979 of Taskforce, the post newsletter.

Pool served in 1961 as Chef de Gare of Voiture 891. He also held offices in the Voiture and Voiture 727.

Pool has been a member of Linn, Benton and Lincoln County Labor Councils and Marion and Polk Central Labor Council.

Robert C. Scott

Robert C. Scott of McMinnville joined the Navy in May 1942 and retired from the Naval Reserves in December 1981. He was a lieutenant commander and served in the Pacific.

He is a member of AmVets, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Korean War Veterans Association, MOAA and the Fleet Reserve Association.

David Standley

David Standley of Lebanon served in the Army from 1957 to 1978. He served in Korea, Germany, Panama and two tours in Vietnam as a tank commander. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star.

Standley has been a member the American Legion Santiam Post 51 for 28 years. He was past commander and is currently post adjutant and District 3 commander of the American Legion Department of Oregon.

He is Chef de Gare Passe of Linn Voiture 891 40/8. He now serves as Aide to the Grande Chef de Gare du Oregon for 2003-04.

Bud Stutheit

Bud Stutheit of Albany served in the Army from March 1953 to March 1955 and spent one and a half years in Verdan, France. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Stutheit is a 13-year member of the American Legion Post 10. He takes other veterans to Portland several times a month so they can see doctors at the Veterans Hospital.

He also volunteers with fund-raising projects for the Legion, including working at the coffee trailer at the Santiam Rest Stop and selling tickets at the Willamette Speedway during the summer.

Roy E. Vaughn

Roy E. Vaughn of Dallas served in the Army from June 1945 to November 1958. He served in Rome, Italy, for two years and in Darmstadt, Germany, from May 1950 to October 1953.

He is the senior vice commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 6. He has provided the trailer on which the chapter builds the parade float. The float has won two blue ribbons and one red ribbon at parades throughout Oregon.

Vaughn also volunteers to sell forget-me-nots and tickets at the gun show in Rickreall.

Merle E. Woods

Merle E. Woods of Corvallis served four years in the Navy and 16 years in the Active Ready Reserve. He was stationed in San Diego; Alameda, Calif.; Norman, Okla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Corpus Christi, Texas. He flew single-engine Jet Trainers and multi-engine prop aircraft.

Woods has been the finance officer for 10 years at the American Legion Corvallis Post 11. He served on the Oratorical Program as a timer in the local post, District 3, area and department contests.

He joined the Post 11 Honor Guard shortly after it was organized 14 years ago. Woods also helped establish the Post 11 Safety Awards Program.