326th Engineers - 101st Airborne

[Walt's Daughter]

We already have a great page on our site featuring Charles Wilber, but now I am delighted to say that I have been contacted by a gentleman today looking for info on his uncle, also with the 326th. Here is the letter.

 

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Hello Marion,

 

My name is Ron Day and I just happened across your web

site about the 326th Airborne Engineers. What I saw

was amazing! I couldn't believe it when I saw the 2

part photo's of Baker company 326th... because I have

the same photo's. My Uncle is in the right side photo.

Count fourth from the left of those sitting indian

style on the ground, in the center, and then go up one

(to the first row of those seated on the bleachers).

That is Sgt. Peter Paul Evans (called Paul by most).

I have been looking for years for any link to anyone

that may know anything about the 326th and what they

did during WWII. My Uncle Paul was awarded at least 2

Bronze Stars (one I believe as an end of tour type

award for participation in all of the major campaigns)

and one for actions at Carentan France. He was also

awarded at least 2 purple hearts. I believe both were

for wounds received at Bastogne.

 

He enlisted in West Virginia and was a carpenter by

trade.

 

Unfortunately, I have to report that he was killed in

1971. He limped somewhat from grenade shrapnel in his

knee, and one day limping/crossing a wide street in

Washington D.C. where he lived, he was run down by a

car and killed.

 

Do you know anyone that is still alive, that could

possibly know him? If so, is there anyway you could

possibly put them in touch with me?

 

I am retired from the Army myself and am the youngest

son of his sister. I have several photos and even

newspaper clippings of some of his letters that were

published in the local newspaper where he was from,

about some of the things he saw and did during WWII.

I can not express the pride I have for my Uncle's

service and the extreme respect I have for the every

day heroics of that generation... words are not

enough.

 

Please use the information about my Uncle which I have

provided. Pass it on... maybe there is a friend of his

out there that this info could mean a lot to.

Again, if there is anyone out there that you can put

me in contact with, that may have known my Uncle,

Please put them in contact with me.

 

Thank You very much for putting this information on

the web.

 

Respectfully,

Ron Day

 

I wrote back to him this morning and have forwarded his email to Doug, the son of Charles Wilber. I also sent him the phone number of Joe Grille, who was also in Co B, 236th. I am sure all involved with have much to share.

 

I am going to feature Ron's uncle on the site in the near future. Always grateful to have another great engineer on our site.