Paul Uffelman enlisted in the Marine Corps on 28 Jun 1944; taking his basic training at San Diego Recruit Depot. He was assigned to the Marine Detachment aborard the USS Indianapolis in January of 1945 with he then a PFC (Private First Class). He continued with said Marine Detachment aboard the Indianapolis until is sinking after being struck by two torpedos launched from a Japanese Submarine.

The Indianapolis having accomplished its mission of delivering the soon to be dropped A-bomb to Tinian, was then put to sea again with the destination of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to prepare for the invasion of Japan after first taking a very breif port in Guam. Unescorted the ship took two hits that had it sink in the space of 12 minutes. Those making it into the water, Paul Uffleman being one of those, remained in the water for five days before being spotted by an aircraft searching the waters for submarines with many in that time becoming victims to shark attacks.

Following the sinking of the Indianapolis, Paul attained the rank of Corporal one year later in July of 1946. By October of 1947 Paul was commissioned as an officer, and made a 2d Lieutenant. He would see action in Korea, advancing to Captain, and advaning to Major in January of 1958. Still in the Marines upon the opening of the Vietnam war, Paul seen combat still again, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on 1 Jul 1973.

Paul Uffelman (1925)