Paul Von Santen Liles

Paul Von Santen Liles January 21, 1916 - January 23, 2010 COLUMBUS, GA — Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Paul Von Santen Liles, age 94, died peacefully Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Saint Francis Hospital while surrounded by family members. Paul was born on January 21, 1916 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the son of Paul Wilson Liles of North Carolina and Bessie Von Santen Liles of Charleston, SC. At an early age, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama. Paul graduated Ramsay High School in 1934. While attending Birmingham Southern College, he won an appointment by merit to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Paul graduated West Point in 1941 and immediately entered the United States Army. During his 22 years in the Army, he served during World War II in the Pacific Theater first with the 24th Infantry Regiment on the island of Bougainville and later in the Philippines with the XIV Corps. Paul was among the first US Army soldiers to occupy Japan at the conclusion of WW II. On December 27, 1944, he married Harriet Louise Phillips of Birmingham, AL. Paul served during the Korea War beginning in 1950 where he was an advisor to the South Korean Army. He was captured by Chinese forces and was a prisoner of war (POW) for three years in North Korea. Paul received the Soldier's Medal, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Combat Infantry Badge, the Legion of Merit, and numerous campaign medals and ribbons. Paul retired from the Army in 1962 and made Columbus his home. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth H. Liles, formerly of Bethesda, MD. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Harriet Louise Philips Liles; two sons, Paul Von Santen Liles, Jr. of Roswell, GA and Donald Taylor Liles (Patricia) of Midland, MI; a daughter, Priscilla Ladner Liles Clay (Mark) of Columbus; two brothers, Raeford Bailey Liles (Virginia) of Homewood, AL and Hugh Allen Liles (Judy) of Metairie, LA; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Campbell Liles; and seven grandchildren, Christopher Von Santen Liles, Ashley Lynne Liles, Brian Christopher Clay, Matthew Paul Clay, Jeffrey Taylor Liles, Jacqueline Michelle Clay and Katherine Elizabeth Liles; and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services with full military honors will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday January 27, 2010 at Parkhill Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA. Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.