Paul Frank Sersha
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Coast Guard
Paul Frank Sersha served in World War II. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He joined the Coast Guard in September 1942.
After basic training, he was sent to the New York City metro area and assigned to transportation, sentry, and security duties. Among other locations, he patrolled Jones Beach, Long Island, where he was injured.
He was discharged in December 1945. His rank was Fireman 1st Class.
Mr. Sersha was born in 1919 in Eveleth, Minnesota, the son of Paul and Angela Sersha.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
Notable events in the Coast Guard military service of Paul Sersha during World War II
- Stationed in New York City and the surrounding area as part of the home guard to protect the eastern United States.
- Selected for special training under the legendary heavyweight Jack Dempsey.
- Was taught special techniques of self-defense and hand-to-hand combat.
- Recalled many memories of patrolling New York City, the area beaches, and standing guard under the Statue of Liberty. During this time, New York was blackened at night because of the threat of German U-boat infiltration.
- It was during this time that some of his fellow Coast Guard comrades apprehended German saboteurs. They came from a German U-boat and tried to enter the New York City area by landing at an isolated beach. These saboteurs had pencil-shaped explosives that they were going to deploy at various areas in New York City.
- During a storm when Paul was patrolling at Jones Beach, he fell on rocks and injured his back. As a result, he was unable to participate in a landing craft at Normandy. He remained in New York City as part of the home front, guarding New York City and the eastern coast.
- During the Normandy Invasion, Paul Sersha lost a brother, John, who was in the 82nd Airborne Glider Infantry. His brother is still missing in action.
- A trip to visit the World War II Memorial would be very meaningful for him and his brother’s memory.
