This interesting story appeared in the Lykens Standard of January 8, 1943. It was based on letters obtained by the Standard that Paul A. Helt sent to his parents and fiancée from Northwest Africa, during World War II. The letters were summarized as follows:
INTERESTING NOTES FROM PAUL HELT IN CASABLANCA, AFRICA
Through the courtesy of an employee of the Lykens Post Office, a letter was received Christmas morning [1942] by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Helt from their son Paul, who is serving with the armed forces in Africa. This was the first letter received since his arrival.
In the letter he stated he was feeling fine and living in a cork forest. During Christmas week six additional letters were received both by his parents and fiancee, Miss Joan Roberts.
Parts of the letters will no doubt be interesting to his many friend and readers of the Standard.
He is stationed in Northwest Africa and his landing there was with the invasion on November 8th [1942]. He took part in the thick of the action. The landing was made in the early morning on reefs at Fedala. They waded waist deep in water to reach shore and upon reaching that point everything happened. The guns were turned loose and they were constantly under machine gun, mortar, rifle and artillery fire. He stated it was quite an assortment to still be alive. They moved into the town and captured the German officers in that area and followwing that they were under constant artillery bombardment, and by many snipers.
The fighting continued until the morning of November 11, Armistice Day, when the French surrendered [reference to 1918]. he said the first meal they had for a week was a banquet and consisted of canned salmon, peas, beans, peaches and coffee.
A letter dated November 19 passed the censorship which told he was at Casablanca. The letter was written by candle light, his flash light with all his cigarettes having been stolen on his arrival at that place.
This is the rainy season in Africa. He stated he didn’t know what they would have for Thanksgiving as prices were high and food very scarce. He enclosed a pamphlet of the message of the President of the United States, printed in French and dropped by plane to the French inhabitants before the American invasion.
At one place on moving into attack they traveled 1/2 mile in open terrain through what the French called an unpassable artillery and mortar barrage. The shells fell thick and fast but they advanced and were named by the French the “Crazy Fighters.”
Chewing gum, cigarettes, sugar and butter cannot be obtained.
The casualties were light considering the punishment they endured.
Paul wishes to be remembered to everyone. He landed in Africa on his dad’s birthday and stated the only thing he had for his birthday was to be among those who made the landing successfully. Paul enlisted in June and was used as a replacement as a Commando in the Infantry. His basic training was at Ft. Meade with the Medical Corps. His present address is:
Pvt. Paul A. Helt, A. P. O. No. 3, c/o P. M., New York City.
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While stationed in Africa, Paul A. Helt sent a letter to the Lykens Service Club which was published in the the Lykens Standard, April 9, 1943, thanking the club for its work done “for the soldier.”
Lykens Service Club, Lykens, Pennsylvania
Dear Mrs. Williams:
I received your letter today and your money order for $2.50. You may be sure that it will be used to a good advantage for it is something that every fellow needs.
I also wish at this time to thank the Club for my carton of cigarettes which I received several weeks ago. Circumstances at that time prohibited me from writing, and I was forced to put it off until now.
I think the work now being done by the Club is a wonderful thing for I know that anything done by you for the soldier is greatly appreciated.
Again I wish to thank both you and the Lykens Service Club for both the money order and cigarettes and will be used by me wisely.
Best wishes to all.
Sincerely,
PVT PAUL A. HELT
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On June 11, 1943, the Lykens Standard reported that Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Helt had received a “V Letter” from their son Paul:
RECEIVES LETTER FROM SON IN AFRICA
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Helt, North Second Street, have received a photographic V letter from their son, Pfc. Paul A. Helt, written May 17th, from Tunisia, stating that he is well and that war in Africa terminated 5 days previous and that he had seen many German and Italian prisoners and had eaten German food which “wasn’t bad.” Helt has been serving in Africa since his arrival with the African Invaasion, November 8th. He sends his best wishes to his many friends back home and enjoys keeping in touch with the other boys through the columns of the Lykens Standard.
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On August 26, 1943, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Helt of Lykens, received a telegraph from the Adjutant General informing them that their son, Paul A. Helt, was Missing in Action (MIA), in the North African area since July 10, 1943, the day of the Sicilian Invasion.
On November 24, 1943, the Helt’s received a second telegram from the Adjutant General, which stated the following:
The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your son, Pfc. Paul A. Helt, who previously reported missing in action, report received, states that he was killed in action on July 10th [1943] in North African area, letter follows. Ulio. THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
On January 7, 1944, the Lykens Standard reported the following:
HELT FAMILY RECEIVE PURPLE HEART GIVEN SON POSTHUMOUSLY
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Helt, North Second Street, have received a certificate from the Secretary of the War, Henry Stimson, which stated that The President of the United States of America, pursuant to authority vested in him by Congress has awarded the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782, to Private First Class Paul Arthur Helt, A. A. No. 13090375, for military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death, July 10, 1943.
A letter accompanied the certificate which follows:
At the request of the President I write to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son Private First Class Paul A. Helt, Infantry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country.
Little that we can do or say will console you for the death of your loved one. We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss, for in a very real sense the loss suffered by any of us in this battle for our country, is a loss shared by all of us. When the Medal which you will shortly receive, reaches you, I want you to know that with it goes my sincerest sympathy, and the hope that time and the victory of our cause will finally lighten the burden of your grief.
Sincerely yours,
HENRY L. STIMSON, Secretary of War
Mr. Arthur Helt, the father of Pfc. Paul A. Helt, served in World War I and spent twenty months overseas.
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