Grave marker for Paul T. Ikirt in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia
(Greene county), Ohio. Paul enlisted in the Army
on 29 October 1942. He volunteered for parachutist duty and was
sent to Camp Blanding, FL where the 508th PIR has just been activated
and was assigned to Company D and by April 1944 was promoted to Pfc.
.Pfc Ikirt made the jump into Normandy on 6 June 1944
and was wounded in action that same day. He was evacuated to a
field hospital and did not return to duty until 30 July 1944.
On 14 October 1944 Pfc Ikirt was promoted to the grade
of T/5, a rank that he retained for the remainder of his service career.
His Military decorations include the Purple Heart and
the Bronze service Arrowhead device awarded for participation in
Normandy assault. |