PVT Paul Russell Hardy

courtesy of Judith Norman

PVT Paul Russell Hardy was born 18 Jan 1922 in Walkerton, Indiana to Clell Albert and Ruth Ethel (Steinke) Hardy.  His father worked as an automobile painter in a factory.  By 1940 his parents had divorced and his mother re-married and Paul lived in his step-father's house with his mother and step-brother. His step-father was a farmer.

Paul was drafted in December 1942.  After his initial training, Paul was sent to England and assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with that unit in amphibious operations as they prepared for the assault across the channel on Hitler's "fortress Europe".  PVT Hardy was killed in action in that assault on 6 Jun 1944.

PVT Hardy is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.