Paul David Gilman

1924-1943 Paul David Gilman passed away on November 20, 1943. He was born in January of 1924, one of eight children raised by Clarence and Sarah “Sadie” Gilman in Belen, NM. He attended Belen Senior High School, where he and his older brother, Earl, played varsity football and worked as a machinist’s helper. Seventeen year old Paul joined the Marine Corps on January 5, 1942. Sadie was already worried about her other son, Earl, being overseas in the Navy, but Paul told her “Mother” it’s our job to go. You just take it on the chin and smile.” He fought in the battle of Guadalcanal as a member of M/38th Marines, survived and traveled to Wellington, New Zealand. While at Camp Paekakariki in the summer of 1943, Paul probably received a letter with news about his brother. Earl Gilman had died at a prison camp in the Philippines in November 1942, and word had only just reached his family. On 20 November 1943, PFC Paul Gilman’s battalion was designated as a support wave to land on Beach Red 3, Betio. The flat-bottomed boats that carried the men could not cross the island’s barrier reef, and became sitting targets for Japanese gunners. When the ramps went down, Marines jumped into deep water and tried to wade several hundred yards to the shore. Burdened by their heavy weapons, M/3/8 suffered many casualties on their way to the safety of the Red 3 sea wall. One of them was Paul Gilman, who was trying to help a wounded buddy to safety. He lived for only a few minutes after being hit. His buddies wrote to Sadie Gilman that, although he knew what was to come, Paul died with a smile on his face. Paul Gilman was buried just a few yards off Red Beach 3, in what would become known as Cemetery 27. His remains were among those found by History Flight and turned over to the DPAA for official identification. Welcome home, PFC Paul Gilman. Semper Fi. Paul was preceded in death by his brother, Earl, and succeeded in death by his parents, Clarence and Sarah Gilman, brothers; Harold and William, sisters; Evelyn Gardener, Elizabeth Battaglino and Elaine Edgington. He is survived by one sister, Martha Abeyta, and many loving nieces and nephews. Paul will have a full military service on October 26, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at Terrace Grove Cemetery in Belen, NM. Please sign Paul’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM PFC Paul Gilman will be lying in State Thursday, 10/25/18, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Friday, 10/26/18, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Romero Funeral Home Chapel.

Paul David Gilman

January 11, 1924 - October 24, 2018