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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '50
Paul Shelby Ward No. 15676 Class
of 1946 Died June 17, 1949, at Hot Springs, AR, aged
25 years. |
WITHOUT having gone through the experience one can hardly
realize the feeling of sadness and emptiness that comes with
the loss of a son. That feeling is intensified where the son
happens to be a young man of high ideals, a lovable character,
and a Buddie--that's what we called him.
Paul Shelby Ward, son of Judge J. Paul Ward, was born
April 21, 1924 in the little city of Batesville, Arkansas. Here
he attended the public schools and graduated with honors, from
the High School in June 1942, with plans to enter the State University
that fall. Subsequent events illustrate traits of character that
endeared him to his family and friends and portended a successful
future. Having caught the spirit of the times, he announced just
one week before the opening of school that he wanted either to
join the army or go to West Point. When he learned that the only
appointment available was a third alternate effective the following
June, it was with misgivings and impatience that he consented
to remain in the University where he became a member of the Sigma
Nu Fraternity. Being the only one to pass the examinations for
the Military Academy, he learned just thirty days before he was
to report that be had to meet certain physical and athletic requirements
which he could not make. However, by consistently and faithfully
exercising on improvised bars and with the help and encouragement
of the entire family, he came through with flying colors. This
self imposed discipline and careful living together with the
training at the Academy helped him to develop physically to his
great delight and satisfaction. Ironically, on the 27th of December
1948, it was found that he was affected with cancer, and he was
operated on in Frankfurt, Germany the following January. Then,
he was sent to Walter Reed Hospital and operated on twice more,
and died the 17th of June while at the Army-Navy Hospital at
Hot Springs, AR.
It was known to us in February that he had no chance
to live, and the doctors made a heroic effort to get him in shape
to spend thirty days at home, but fate decreed that he have only
seven days with his family.
Although Paul Shelby had no opportunity to display great
valor on the field of battle or to achieve distinction in his
chosen profession, yet, he accomplished both in facing the certainty
of death after he realized that he could not live. So calmly
and serenely did he face the eternal issues that the attending
chaplain remarked that in his twenty years experience he had
never seen surpassed the calm demeanor and valiant spirit of
Paul Shelby.
Even though he had spent only his school days in his
home town, his life and his courageous passing made such an impression
that the response was unusual. In his memory, friends and relatives
gave many books, a table and a complete set of chairs to the
local library, and a fund was set up in the local high school
providing for a character award of $25.00 each year for the member
of the graduating class showing most devotion to clean living,
high ideals and Christian citizenship.
Since his passing, letters from two of his fellow officers
in Germany give some indication of how Paul Shelby impressed
his associates in service. Captain Michael C. Homa said, "He
was one of the youngest and best officers we had the honor to
serve with". Lt. Matthew R. Wallis said. "No one could
want a better friend".
Paul Shelby was a booster for the West Point Military
Academy and always stoutly defended the high ideals of service
and citizenship taught there which took deep root in his own
short life.
During twenty months before he was stricken, he served
with the Tenth Constabulary Squadron in Berlin where his sterling
character and frank, smiling countenance endeared him to his
officers and men alike. Twice he was selected to accomplish important
secret missions for General Clay, and on one occasion, he and
another lieutenant successfully dispersed a crowd of approximately
250,000 demonstrating Germans for which they received compliments
from their superiors. After he was hospitalized he was given
an award for services with the Berlin Airlift.
Though his life ended prematurely, it left a profound
imprint on his friends and associates, and particularly on his
young brother who is now following in his footsteps at West Point.
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