Paul, as he used to be called, was the fifth child (third son) born August 18, 1912 to Edward Franklin Hill and Martha Minnesota "Minnie" Tatum Hill. Along with his two brothers, Emmett and Reed, Paul grew up in Gilmer County, Georgia. They had the usual farm chores as young boys.

He attended a one-room school in the Pleasant Hill Community of Gilmer County, GA. In 1925, he and his brother, Reed, went to live with their older sister, Opal, in an apartment in Eton, GA and attended school where she was teaching.

In 1932, Paul finished Ellijay High School in a class of 45 students. Seven years later on July 1, 1939, Paul married Clara Bell Pettit, born August 21, 1917. The Rev. Euman M. Holt married them at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Pettit. As a member of Ellijay Baptist Church, Paul served on the board of deacons.

In August of 1943, after World War II had begun, Paul was inducted into the Army. At that time, he was manager of the movie theater in Ellijay, GA. Paul was assigned to the 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division. On 29 September 1942, the 12th Infantry Regiment was reorganized as a motorized infantry regiment. Less than a year later on August 1 1943 the 12th Infantry Regiment was reorganized as a standard infantry regiment when the 4th Infantry Division was converted from motorized to dismounted infantry.

The Regiment along with the rest of the 4th Infantry Division arrived in England on January 29 1944. Paul left for overseas duty in April 1944. On June 6, 1944 Paul was one of the thousands of Allied soldiers who assaulted the beaches in Normandy ... D-Day had begun. Together with it's Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt in the first wave, the 4th Infantry Division saw its first action of the war when it made an amphibious assault landing on Utah Beach. In spite landing in the wrong place, the 4th Infantry Division pushed successfully forward, driving the Germans from the defensive positions.

During the next few months Paul and his 4th Infantry Division succeeded in pushing the Germans back towards Germany ... During that push forward Paul and the rest of the men of the 4th Infantry Division lost their popular General Theodore Roosevelt on 12 July 1944 to a heart-attack. General Roosevelt suffered from a heart condition and from arhtritis which forced him to use a cane, nevertheless he filed a written request to join the first wave on D-Day. His request was approved and he was one of the first men to assault the beach. For his action and bravery General Roosevelt received the Medal of Honor ...

During the following months Paul's outfit pushed the Germans out of France. They helped the French army to liberate their Capitol Paris ... After that they pushed towards and through Belgium. Under General Barton, the border of the Third Reich came within range in September 1944 ... the Siegfriedline was ahead of them ...

The 4th had moved through Belgium, through Houffalize to attack the Siegfried Line at Schnee Eifel on September 14, 1944. The Division succeeded in making several breakthroughs. During the fights in the following days, on September 17, 1944, at the age 32, Paul was killed by a German tank gun on a bridge close to the Belgian-German border.

Paul was described as a fine Christian gentleman. These days Paul Hill rests in the beautiful American Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle ... He is remembered and honored by his neice Eileen Ward, by his entire family, by everyone who visits Henri-Chapelle cemetery and by everyone who visits the In Honored Glory website ... Paul is also remembered back home where a Sunday School was named and still remains "The Paul Hill Class" ...