Battle of Remagen’s last veteran to be honored in Normandy

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Paul Priest was just 18 years old when the United States Army drafted him. After completing basic training, Priest was assigned to the 9th Armored Division as an Infantryman. He landed in France December 25, 1944, his 19th birthday, but spent most of his service time in Germany. Priest was honorably discharged February 2, 1946, and is the last remaining soldier of the Battle of Remagen.

Priest settled in Box Elder and today he enjoys telling stories of his time in the Army to young students, showing them pictures and various souvenirs he brought back from Germany. He’s traveled all over the United States and has since returned to Germany to visit the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge.

This year, the Best Defense Foundation invited Priest to go where he has never been, Normandy.

“I had nothing to do with the landing, I said I didn’t have that. I was over in Germany, but they want me to go so I said ‘I’ll go,’” Priest said.

The D-Day operation, brought together allied armies’, primarily American, British and Canadian, land, air, and sea forces to become what is known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. It marked the beginning of the end of World War II by starting the campaign for liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis. John Moyes, 28th Bomb Wing Historian, said D-Day is still commemorated to honor the troops who went on to do what many thought was impossible. Moyes said history shows up in the strangest places.

“It’s incredible to have somebody like him (Priest) from this area, he truly is a hometown hero,” Moyes said.

While in Normandy, Priest and other World War II veterans will have the chance to visit schools, watch La Fière Parachute jumps, visit the Overlord Museum, and attend the Official International and United States D-Day Commemorations.

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