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CARLISLE BARRACKS, Pa. (April 11, 2012) -- In a ceremony
surrounded by family and friends, Mark Paradise, a World War II
veteran from central Pennsylvania, was formally presented with the
Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge today, for his service
during the war by Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, commanding general at
Carlisle Barracks, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Blakey, at the Army
Heritage and Education Center here.
Mark Paradise, World War II veteran, poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, Army War College commandant, and Col. Karl Ginter, Army war College faculty
on April 11, 2012. Ginter was capturing the memories of his father's friend, Pfc. Mark Paradise, when he recognized that Paradise had earned more than he had received when it came to Army awards and decorations. Ginter conducted the necessary research and paperwork resulting in receiving these special awards. U.S. Army photo |
"It is over 60 years since that day when I was on Utah
Beach," said Paradise. "This is a special honor to receive
this award."
"I thought basic training was hard --
that was nothing compared to the actual D-Day landing, he
said."
During the ceremony, Martin called Mark
Paradise a true American hero.
"Thank you for giving
us the opportunity and privilege to award these medals which
are so overdue," said Martin.
Martin mentioned that
Army Heritage and Education Center is a great place to be
holding this ceremony since the purpose of AHEC is "To tell
the Army Story one Soldier at a time."
"I think it's
great, quite an honor," said Paradise. "I was surprised,
didn't realize I was being awarded the Bronze Star until
Colonel Ginter told me. "I guess it's my big day."
Army War College faculty member Col. Karl Ginter was
capturing the memories of his father's friend, Private 1st
Class Mark Paradise, when he recognized that Paradise had
earned more than he had received when it came to Army awards
and decorations. Ginter conducted the necessary research and
paperwork resulting in receiving these special awards.
In receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge, Martin said,
"There is no greater honor for an Infantry Soldier."
Along with the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge,
Paradise received a Congressional Citation from Pa.
Congressman Tim Holden, a USAWC Coin from Martin and a case
displaying his military medals and decorations.
"This
is incredible," said Paradise's son Jeff Paradise. "I've
learned more about him in the last few weeks than I ever
knew because he doesn't talk about that time. I am glad that
he is able to be here, and that we are all able to see
this," he added.
"I think it was three years ago when
my sons Ron and Jeff decided to take me and my friend to
(Washington) D.C. to see the World War II Memorial and Air
Force Memorial and at the end of the day we watched the
Changing of the Guard. It is that day -- and today -- that I
will remember," said Mark Paradise.
NARRATIVE FROM
THE CEREMONY
Pfc. Mark J. Paradise
Born July 29,
1925, in Tower City, Pa., Mr. Mark Paradise was drafted into the
armed forces during the height of America's World War II
mobilization. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supplied nearly 1/8
of the Army's 8 million men, and 1/12 of the total military manpower
throughout World War II. Mr. Paradise entered the Army at New
Cumberland, Pa., in October 1943, and attended 13 weeks of Basic
Infantry Training at Camp Wheeler, Ga.
Following Infantry
training, he was shipped north to Rhode Island, where he embarked a
troop carrier headed for Newton-Abbott, England, and was assigned to
Company E, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, as a
Rifleman. During the Spring of 1944, Pfc. Paradise and his Regiment
conducted amphibious assault training throughout the Moors of South
England. On June 6, 1944 -- D-Day -- Pfc. Paradise's Regiment
assaulted Utah Beach, penetrated Fortress Europe, and arrived in the
vicinity of Pavenoville, France, by D-plus one. It was the beginning
of a long, tough slog across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and
Germany, and the final liberation of Europe.
Pfc. Paradise
was wounded in the hedgerows of Normandy on June 15, 1944, returning
to England for hospitalization and recovery. He rejoined his
Regiment in October 1944, just in time for the assault on the city
of Aachen, Germany. Timing is everything, isn't it?!
By the
time Pfc. Paradise was mustered-out of the Army at Fort Indiantown
Gap in January 1946, his World War II campaigns included Normandy,
Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. His
awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple
Heart, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal w/Silver Campaign Star & Bronze Arrowhead Device, World War II
Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal w/Germany Clasp,
Presidential Unit Citation w/2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Belgian
Fourragere, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Today, we are
rectifying a 67-year oversight, and bestowing decorations that were
earned, but never awarded -- the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat
Infantryman Badge. Gen. George C. Marshall stated, "The fact that
ground troops, infantry in particular, lead such miserable lives,
makes the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge so important."
The Infantry blue badge with the image of a 1795 Springfield
musket is the most prized award among infantryman. The Bronze Star
Medal is awarded for valorous or meritorious achievement against an
armed enemy of the United States.
By Suzanne Reynolds, Army War College
Army News Service
Copyright 2012
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