Paul "PK" Courtad

Paul K. "PK" Courtad, age 86, N. 8th St. Upper Sandusky, OH died in Wyandot Memorial Hospital at 12:35 a.m. on Sun. Feb. 3, 2008. He was born on Mar. 7, 1921 in Wyandot Co. to Loren and Mitilda (Enders) Courtad, they preceded him in death. He married Selma R. Virden, they later divorced. He is survived by a son Michael P. (Cynthia) Courtad, a daughter Mrs. James (Cheryl L.) Bennett, both of Upper Sandusky, OH, 3 granddaughters Laurie Hensel, Upper Sandusky, OH, Kristy Manzi, Worthington, OH, Dawn Waddell, Marion, OH, 7 great grandchildren, a sister Thelma McCutchen, Upper Sandusky, OH, a close companion of 40 years Marge Conley, Upper Sandusky, OH. He is preceded in death by a daughter Darlene Yochem, 7 brothers Kara "KW", Charles, Merle, Richard, Dale, Wayne and Glen Courtad. Mr. Courtad graduated in 1939 from Upper Sandusky High School. He is a member of Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church. He worked as a machine shop turrett lathe operator at National Steam Pump Company until Oct. 24, 1942 when he was inducted into the United States Army Air Force basic training in Atlantic City, NJ. He attended airplane mechanic school at Seymoure Johnson Field, NC, then attended gunner school at Ft. Myers, FL, then on to Geiger Field in Washington, DC. In 1943, a T/SGT in the 8th Air Force, 401st Bomb Group, 615 Squadron, he traveled to England on the Queen Mary to begin battle in WW 11. During the war, he was a tailgunner of B17 flying force crew. He flew 34 bombing missions over occupied France and Germany, flying two missions on D Day, June 6, 1944. His plane was shot down June 19, 1944 over occupied France. He and nine others were captured by the Gestapo and held captive in an old French jail in Bordeaux, France for 31 days. While being transported to Germany on convoy to POW camp he escaped, and then lived with the Free French of the Interior "French Underground: for 41 days. After the French Underground regained control, he was hospitalized until Sept. 2, 1944 when a cargo plane, transporting him and 21 others, landed Sept. 3, 1944 at the Royal Air Force in England. He was listed "MIA" for 76 days. Honorable discharge was on Aug. 29, 1945. Mr. Courtads decorations, citations, honors and medals were Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Prisoner of War Medal, Silver Airmans Wings, Silver Gunners Wings, The Jubilee of Liberty Medal from France in honor of D Day, Presidential Unit Citations-Bombing Missions and Battles, European Theatre of Operations and 4 Bronze Battle Stars. After returning from the war from 1955 to 1978 he was an appraiser for the State of Ohio, Division 11 appraiser for the Department of Transportation, Bowling Green, OH. From 1949-1993 he was a licensed auctioneer and real estate broker. He had a lawn care business from 1978-1993. He was a life member of AmVets #777, American Legion Post #225 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #2842. He was a member of Order of the Purple Heart, 401st Bomb Group, Air Force Society and Air Force Gunners Asso. He enjoyed the outdoors and flowers, he fed and watched cardinal birds and squirrels, he enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show and he collected pipes and pipe trays. He traveled Wyandot Co. with his pet dogs, he went to local sports events, was a OSU fan and enjoyed having fun with family and friends. Funeral services will be held Thurs. Feb. 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the Bringman Clark Funeral Home with Father Kent Kaufman and Rev. Cathy Wirth officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wed. Feb. 6, 2008 from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home, the family will be present from 2-4 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Wyandot Co. Humane Society, Wyandot Co. Home Health, Wyandot Co. Historical Society, Wyandot Memorial Hospital and Wyandot Co. WW 11 Memorial Fund in care of Bringman Clark Funeral Home 226 E. Wyandot Ave. Upper Sandusky, OH 43351 Military graveside honors will be conducted by local veteran organizations. To extend condolence or share a memory visit www.bringmanclark.com.

Paul "PK" Courtad

February 3, 2008