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SDPB Homefront Stories

Paul Thiner, 2007 

  • Branch of Service: United States Army
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Military Service: Drafted, 1942 - 1945


Listen to the following sections by scrolling forward to the timecode.

0:00 - Drafted at 23, training 
1:05 - Went overseas, Omaha Beach; helmet shot off when looking out tank
4:25 - Fought in 4 bigs battles 
4:56 - Became disabled 
7:40 - Feelings about the enemy 
8:43 - Medals, including the Silver Star and Good Conduct Medal 
9:09 - Going home, marriage, and writing letters
11:04 - How parents felt when left for service
11:54 - Atomic bomb
12:54 - Life back home after the war
18:45 - Memories of fighting; 3,600 miles on the tank

Paul Joseph Thiner Obituary 

This story was recorded at an SDPB event in Sioux Falls, SD. 




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