WW II POW to speak at Holmes Historical Society

“War Is Hell – Count Your Blessings Daily”

   Lt. Paul Gordy, 88, of Chipley will speak to the Holmes County Historical Society on June 3, at 7pm. He was a POW during WWII and was shot down on a bombing mission over Kiel Germany on July 29, 1943 against the Nazi submarine base.

   He was a pilot of a B17 Flying Fortress mission with the 384^th Bomb Group, based at Grafton-Underwood, England. He was rescued by a German Luftwaffe Air Sea Group Rescue Unit after surviving over 13 hours in the North Sea. He had a very unique experience in Stalag Luft III, at Sogan, Germany and was liberated on April 29,1945, at Mossburg, Germany.

   After moving to Chipley in 1948 he became a close friend of SGT. Harry Williams, a native of Bonifay, and learned that they were POW’s at Nuremburg and liberated together at Mossburg. Harry was in a B26 Aircraft when he was shot down. They have spent many pleasant hours and spin many stories about their survival- not heroes- just survival.

   Paul’s only brother, Leonard, 93, was also shot down over Germany in a B17, Eight Air Force, 94^th Group, England, on April 29,1944. They were the only POW brother who got together in Stalag Luft III and were liberated together on April 29,1945.

    Harry Williams is married to Anna Creel of Bonifay and Paul married Ann Sheppard of Chipley. Both of these ladies are known locally for their beauty.

    Paul’s advice is “War Is Hell – Count Your Blessings Daily”