Paul was forcibly conscripted into the German Wehrmacht in 1942. He was taken prisoner by Soviet troops and incarcerated in the Tambov POW camp.

Paul volunteered for the first contingent in 1950, leaving Europe in December 1950 to head out towards Pusan, Korea. 

Overseas, Paul suffered a triple fracture of his right wrist, which made it impossible for him to hold a rifle. He therefore was medically discharged and returned back to Europe in late spring/early summer 1951.

Leaving the Army shortly after his return, Paul was transferred to the CFL.  He is buried in Strassen.