Paul E. Priest We helped raised money to get Paul back to Europe... Please help us get other World War II Veterans like Paul back to the battlefield by making a contribution now! Where: Remagen, Germany Paul's Recognitions: • Bronze Star Medal • Good Conduct Medal • World War II Victory Medal • Combat Infantryman Badge • Marksman Badge with   Carbine Bar and Rifle Bar • Europe-Africa-Middle East   Campaign Medal with three   Bronze Service Stars Paul E. Priest View Paul's Tour Photos End the War in '44 Tour 2013 Mr. Priest was born on December 25, 1925, in Flint, Michigan. On the morning of December 7, 1941 he was at home when he first heard the news that the Japanese had attacked Pear Harbor. Monday, December 8, 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt declared war against the Japanese Empire - Mr. Priest was a senior in high school. In the spring of 1942 Mr. Priest graduated from High School at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, followed by a draft letter from the U.S. Army in June of 1944. Mr. Priest completed Basic Training at Blanden, Florida and was assigned to the 9th Armored Division as an infantryman. Mr. Priest landed in France December 25, 1944 involuntarily assigned as a replacement crewman on a Sherman tank; and he almost didn't make it to the Rhine River. After asking for another assignment Mr. Priest was granted a move and assigned to the division's headquarters company, performing reconnaissance patrols for the division. All three of the weapons he carried were retrieved from dead German soldiers. In close combat his weapon of preference was his pistol. Mr. Priest was in the reconnaissance force, which operated in front of the division and always on the move. Mr. Priest fought for the bridge at Remagen with the 9th Armored Division. On May 7, 1945, two months after the 9th Armored Division captured the Lundendorff Railway Bridge at Remagen, German forces surrendered at Reims, France. After the war Mr. Priest returned to Flint, Michigan and married his pre-war sweetheart, Joan, on August 22, 1945. Through this union, three children were born. He worked as a carpet and tile installer and to Deadwood, South Dakota in 1981. He currently resides in Box Elder with his wife Joan and has seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr. Priest stays active as a school crossing guard and works as Santa Claus for the Humane Society during the holiday season. He shares his personal story with local groups and schools and participates in the Veterans Writing Group. All of them gave something... Some of them gave everything. Copyright 1997-2016 Alpventures®. All Rights Reserved.