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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan '96
Paul Ingram Barthol No.16087 Class of 1946
Died 26 April 1995 in Fairfax, Virginia, aged 71 years. Interment:
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York.
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Paul Barthol was born 10 June 1923 in Homestead
Park, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. He graduated from Taylor
Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and spent two years at Washington
and Jefferson College.
In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and
was discharged to join the Class of 1946 on 1 July 1943.
Paul got his nickname PI in Beast Barracks when
an upperclassman asked "What does PI stand for; Poison Ivy?"
Paul, of course, answered, "Yes, Sir!" and that was
it.
One of his roommates, Otto Meerbott, wrote: "We
called him PI partly because he was funny. He never let the rigors
of the Academy get him down. No matter how the tactical officers
demerited us, or the Academic Department deflated us, Paul could
always make light of the wounds to our psyche. He possessed great
curative power. What he said in effect was, 'Quit feeling sorry
for yourself. Get up and start fighting again.' It was a lesson
we carried for the rest of our lives. It was a life saving, lifetime
philosophy that every officer needed to learn. Yet, during my
career, I found many never did. Paul knew it early in life and
imparted it to his friends."
From another roommate, Phil Farris: "Paul
was everybody's friend. Paul's intense determination was a beacon
that, with his sense of humor, lifted me and others around him
above the doldrums. Some of his jokes were 'corny,' but his prevailing
good nature sparked a lot of laughter among us.
"We spent a lot of time together walking the
area. When we passed each other at right shoulder arms, Paul
would lift my sagging spirits with a smile and a wink, almost
as though he was enjoying another opportunity to help me through
some difficult moments. Paul had his serious side as well, not
only as a cadet, but throughout his life." At graduation,
Paul became a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
After basic schooling at Ft. Benning, Georgia,
Paul was assigned to the Korean Military Advisory Group, then
to the 511th Airborne Infantry Regiment. In 1952, he was Company
Commander, I Company, 17th Infantry, 7th Division in combat in
Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's
Badge. He was evacuated to Valley Forge Hospital, Pennsylvania.
He married Lois A. Thomas in 1953. The Barthols
traveled to Berlin in 1956, where Paul was assigned to the G-3
Section. Returning to the States in 1960, Paul was Assistant
G-3, 101st Airborne Division. In 1962, the Barthols moved to
Venezuela with the Army Mission. Back to the States in 1965,
Paul went to the Combat Developments Command headquarters, then
to Vietnam in 1968, serving in headquarters MACV His next assignment
was back to the CDC from which he retired in 1973.
His first position was with the Vinnell Corporation
in Saudi Arabia. After two years, Paul returned to the States
to become a senior systems engineer with General Electric. After
four years, he became a senior industrial specialist with the
National Systems Management Corporation until he retired again
in 1988.
Paul developed ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and it
caused his death on 26 April 1995. He is survived by his wife,
Lois; two sons, Paul and David; and two daughters, Deborah and
Lida.
Paul's friends and classmates were asked to provide
their remembrances of him. Phil Farris responded: "I saw
over and over again Paul's determination to do an outstanding
job in every assignment. He was well known in tennis circles
as a real scrapper, just as he was at West Point and as an Army
officer leading men in battle. Paul was my roommate, my classmate,
and my dearest friend. His memory will ever refresh and inspire
me to persevere on life's turbulent journey."
Friend and neighbor, Frederick Silverthorne, wrote:
"I found Paul to be an outstanding individual who was liked
and respected by all who came into contact with him. He had a
spirited sense of humor and was innovative. Paul's badge of success
is his wife Lois and their four children. He will be sorely missed."
Friend and tennis competitor, John Hertick, said:
"Paul was a very honest individual who expected everyone
to meet his standards and would accept nothing less. His fierce
determination on the tennis court will always be remembered.
He considered his graduation from West Point not only as a monumental
achievement, but an honor to behold."
Another friend and neighbor, Sam Butz, wrote: "Paul
was a simple man in that he believed in a simple code and lived
by it faithfully. His deepest convictions concerned his duty
to God, his country and his family, and his greatest satisfaction
came from performing his duty"
Paul was asked three questions some years back,
"List those traits that best describe your personality."
His answer, "honest, good sense of humor."
"Describe the traits that best exemplify your
career." "Moral and physical courage, loyal, too frank
(lack of tact), not afraid to speak out (spoke out too much)."
"How do you wish to be remembered?" "As
a good soldier who took care of his troops. As a devoted husband
and father who was blessed with a wonderful family. As a loyal
friend!"
It comes as no surprise to Paul's family, friends,
and classmates that his answers add up to the West Point motto,
"Duty, Honor, Country!" There is nothing more to add
except, "Well Done, Paul; Be Thou at Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Lois
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