Paris Goes To War

War came Paris, Texas on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent declarations of war of the Axis countries of Japan, Germany and Italy against The United States brought World War II literally to the doorsteps of Paris.

The U.S. response to war hit Paris like a tidal wave and the results were everlasting.

This small East Texas town responded as hundreds of small towns across America did. Its sons, daughters and citizens joined the war effort.

But Paris began to develop its own uniqueness with the opening of Camp Maxey just a few miles north of the city limits in 1942. Two major divisions, the 102d Infantry Division and the 99th Infantry Division, trained there. It is estimated that over 200,000 troops and civilians trained and worked at Camp Maxey during its short 4 years of existance.

Camp Maxey was also selected as a site, as were many other training camp sites in Texas, to house German prisoners-of-war. More than 6,000 Germans were hosted there until well after the last shots of anger were fired in Europe in 1945.

Paris, as was the whole country, was like a stirred pot. The young men and women who came to Camp Maxey to train spent their leaves in town. Many of them met, courted, and married local men and women. Likewise, Paris sons and daughters who left were meeting their future spouses. The long historic ties that had held Paris together as a tight community were stretched around the world.

To and from Paris the letters streamed in and out from friends and families: from the battle fronts, from far-away hometowns, from Washington D.C., to Europe, to The Pacific and literally all points of the globe.

Sad news of soldiers being killed, exciting news of the birth of a new baby, common news about town gossip all swirlled around this small town of Paris. Paris was making its contribution to march the country toward victory.

In 1941 Paris Goes To War.


How To Add A Story & Pictures To Paris Goes To War

If you have stories, pictures or items of interest to contribute to these web pages, please email them to steelyfamilias@yahoo.com. You can send written articles in doc or pdf formats and pictures are preferred in jpg format. Contributions will be posted according the their relevance to Paris, Lamar County, Camp Maxey and World War II. All contributions may be used on these blog web pages as well as any future publications that may appear on the subject.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

In Memory of Pasquale Carbone, 102nd Infantry Division, Trained at Camp Maxey



Carbone, Pasquale (Pat) C. Joined his heavenly family on August 7th, 2010. Beloved father, Papa, Great Pa, Pat was born to Ralph and Josephine Carbone in New York City, NY, July 17, 1917. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ralph and Joe and the love of his life Jean, whom he met while stationed at Camp Maxey.

Proud to be a first generation American, Pat enlisted in the Army in 1942. A forward observer in the 102nd Armored Division, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the EAMETO Ribbon with three Battle Stars for battles in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He also received two Bronze Stars one with the Oak Leaf Cluster and the Good Conduct Medal.

Attending more than thirty reunions of the 102nd Ozark Division was a testament to the bonds formed between Pat and his comrades. In 2004, he was honored to attend the opening of the World War II Memorial during one of the reunions.

After the war and a brief stay in New York, Pat and Jean moved their family to Dallas where Pat was accepted into the training program for Humble Oil. He then became a service station owner and operator at the corner of Mockingbird and Abrams where he and his son Tom served the community for over forty-five years. Pat served several terms as President of the Texas Service Station Association, Chairman for the Service Station Dealers of America, and sat on many Exxon dealer advisory panels.

A member of Skillman Church of Christ, Pat loved the Lord and his Skillman family. He enjoyed serving communion and being on the counting team. Even as his health declined, being with his church family each Sunday was important. Pat is survived by his children Patsy and husband Chad, Tom and wife Susan; grandchildren Wendy, Mark and wife Sarah, Pasquale and wife Jillian, Jo and Anthony; six great-grandchildren Adam, Jack, Sam, Noah, Eli and Luca; brother Anthony, sister Eleanor, extended family and friends. Viewing and visitation will be on August 11th at Restland Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Burial at Restland Memorial Park, August 12th at 10:00am followed by services at Skillman Church of Christ at 11:30am.

Published in Dallas Morning News on Aug. 10, 2010

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