Lyle Marvin Paulson was born on April 5, 1921 to Carl N. and Mabel H. Nelson Paulson in Bowman, ND. He had six siblings: his older brother Orley, his older sister Myrtle, and four younger brothers, Vernon, Leroy, Donald and Darrell. He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Montana and later worked in other states.

On January 17, 1943 Lyle M. Paulson enlisted in the Army from Fall River County, SD. He trained at Ft. Benning, Georgia and Camp Marshall, North Carolina. While taking his first parachute jump, he broke his ankle when he landed and was hospitalized for several weeks. He returned to Bowman, North Dakota on July 30, 1943 and spent a 30-day leave with his mother and family. After his leave he served with the 501st Company C, and as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne. He served in the European, African and Middle East Theater. He was sent to England in January 1944. On June 2, 1944 he wrote this letter excerpt home from England:

I received you letter tonight and thought I’d better answer while I had the time.

I suppose by now Darrell is out of school. Did he pass? So Myrtle finally left for

Portland (the family moved to Portland, OR and worked during the war). I didn't

think she’d leave Bowman until the middle of the summer. Is she working yet? If

so what is she doing? Are you and Darrell going out there soon? Why doesn’t

Donald Go along? There sure isn’t much he can do Bowman. I saw Orley (he was

stationed in England) a couple times since my last letter. I haven’t heard from

Vernon or Leroy lately. I suppose they’re kinda busy. (They were stationed in

the South Pacific). Did I tell you I finally heard from Dad? I haven’t had too much

time so as of yet I haven’t answered him. Answer soon. Love Lyle

He entered France with the first invasion forces on June 6, 1944 and was reported missing in action on that day. After spending seven days behind enemy lines, he made his way back to his own company and joined in the action again. In September 1944 he was shot down by the Germans when parachuting into Holland and taken prisoner. His family received a telegram on January 31, 1945 telling them that he had died on September 21, 1944, his sister Myrtle’s birthday.

He is buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery Lorraine, St. Avold France---Plot D, Row 43, grave 13, SD section. Myrtle traveled to Europe in 1979 and went to the military cemetery to see his grave. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart was passed on to his nephew, Lyle Marvin Paulson, his brother Leroy’s son.

As of April 2002, the only family members remaining are his sister Myrtle Jennings, Bowman, ND and seven nieces and nephews. Janet Brodie and Betty Farrell (Orley’s daughters), Vicki Anderson (Myrtle’s daughter), Lyle M. Paulson (Leroy’s son), Linda Norderhaug, Karen Fossum and Vernon Paulson (Darrell’s children).

Lyle M Paulson