Paul Shultz was born August 13, 1909 to Noah Lavater Shultz and Ellen Hopkins in Herndon, Mercer County, West Virginia. Before serving in the armed forces, the family made their home in Freeman, Mercer County.
Paul entered the active service of the United States Army on May 22, 1941 at Fort Hayes, Ohio where he received a commission as a 1st lieutenant. He was sent overseas to the Pacific on June 6, 1941 to serve with the 101st Infantry Regiment, 101st Philippine Division. Paul was later promoted to captain.
Paul served gallantly in the Philippines, but was taken as a prisoner of war when the islands fell to the invading army and the remaining troops were forced to surrender in 1942. Paul was held as a prisoner of war in the Philippines for two years, being interred in POW Camp #2- Davao Mindanao, Philippines. While being transported to Japan on the Enoura Maru, Paul lost his life on January 9, 1945 when the unmarked ship was torpedoed by an Allied submarine.
Paul was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star and his body was buried at sea. In recognition of his honorable service in World War II, and for his ultimate sacrifice, Paul Shultz's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines, and Paul's was one of the original names inscribed on the West Virginia Veterans Memorial.