World War II veteran, POW survivor believed next generation was always the greatest

William Delbert Paschal was a Kansas farm boy who grew up during the Great Depression and went off to war like thousands in his generation.

He led infantry assaults in France, killed German soldiers and was eventually taken a prisoner of war. While a prisoner, he survived two strafing runs by the U.S. Army Air Corps and nearly died from starvation after 100 days in the camp before overpowering his captors.

After the war, he returned to Kansas, married his high-school sweetheart and became a dentist in Wichita, putting his war experiences behind him and not talking about them until the last two decades of his life.

Dr. Paschal died Friday. He was 91 years old.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Resthaven Mortuary with visitation beginning at noon. Resthaven is at 11800 W. Highway 54.

Dr. Paschal was born Oct. 7, 1925, in his parents’ farmhouse in southern Osborne County. He went to school in a one-room schoolhouse until eighth grade, then went to Osborne High School where he met his future wife, Marjorie.

In 1943, he was a senior in high school when he took a test administered by the U.S. Army allowing those who passed to attend Army Specialized Training Program, which sent men to college and gave them a commission in the Army. He attended Iowa State College in Ames before going into infantry basic training.

After that, he became an expert rifleman and an infantry scout. He was involved in several skirmishes and battles.

“Everybody talks about the war effort but his greatest legacy was not only did he serve his country, but he also gave service to his community,” said his son, Ron Paschal. “He was a good soldier because he was a great person to begin with.”

Dr. Paschal received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with a “V” for valor, two additional Bronze Stars, a Prisoner of War Medal and a Purple Heart.

In 2006, Dr. Paschal was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor by the president of France, Jacques Chirac. It was the highest distinction France could bestow, thanking him for his service during World War II.

When Dr. Paschal came back from the war, it wasn’t unusual for him for continue doing good deeds, Ron Paschal said.

“He was one of those people who was typical of his generation,” Ron Paschal said. “He was a forward thinking guy. He felt the greatest generation was yet to come. He was pretty humble and had a lot of faith in young people.”

Dr. Paschal loved nature and photography.

“He always did things in his dental office the old-fashioned way,” Ron Paschal said. “There wasn’t a single computer in the office.

“It amused us when he retired wondering what would be his next thing. He got a computer, became quite proficient and went on to transition from film photography to digital. He always learned something … ”

Dr. Paschal is survived by his wife, Marjorie Paschal; daughters, Nancy (Jerry) Thomas, Jan Paschal (Jack Fitzgibbon); sons, Alan (Julie) Paschal and Ron Paschal; and five grandchildren.

This story was originally published August 15, 2017 at 6:02 PM with the headline "World War II veteran, POW survivor believed next generation was always the greatest."