Paul J. Jordan, born in Scranton, Pa. in 1936, was the youngest of 4 children. His mother died at 4 years of age, and he was raised by his father and relatives in Detroit. He graduated high school in 1954 and volunteered for the draft at age 17. He began basic training at age 18 and learned to be a high speed radio operator. He was promoted to Private First Class, then deployed to Germany to join the 265th Field Artillery Battalion assigned to radio communication, and served for 2 years. He said when he entered service, he was fortunate that the Korean War had ended. Paul feels blessed to come through war unscathed. He looks at his service as a great experience that taught life lessons. He met his wife of 61 years at age 17 in California and had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. He said that though the military was a good experience for him, he couldn't imagine himself or his sons fighting in the wars of today