NEWS

Encounter with 'monster' vivid memory for 103-year-old WWII vet

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 7/9/20

By JOHN HOWELL "Let me think," says Paul Semco, cupping his head in his hands. It's no wonder he needs a moment to recall what happened more than 77 years ago. In less than 30 seconds, he continues his story of what could have been a deadly incident as

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NEWS

Encounter with 'monster' vivid memory for 103-year-old WWII vet

Posted

“Let me think,” says Paul Semco, cupping his head in his hands.

It’s no wonder he needs a moment to recall what happened more than 77 years ago. In less than 30 seconds, he continues his story of what could have been a deadly incident as a member of the 25th Infantry Division serving in the Solomon Islands during World War II.

Semco, who grew up in Esmond, Rhode Island, and was drafted into the Army, served in the Military Police and was assigned to command headquarters. He was taking college courses when the call came to serve his country. He knew how to fly and he wanted to go into the Army Air Corps. But, as he told the story on Tuesday – his 103rd birthday – from his apartment where he lives alone, “they had other ideas for me.”

Semco saw a lot of action in the Solomons and in the Philippines as Allied forces liberated the islands from the Japanese. Enemy attacks and bombing and strafing raids were common, and as a means of protection, soldiers dug foxholes.

So as not to be seen, Semco would lie on his back in his foxhole. He was awake when he detected rustling in the underbrush just outside his hole. As the noise grew louder, he knew he was going to have a visitor. He gripped his rifle. Before he had a chance to sit up, a large head with two eyes looking down at him came into view.

“It was a monster dragon,” said Semco, describing a reptile the size of an alligator with legs as big around as his thighs. Semco thought of trying to shoot the intruder, but realized he would have to raise his arm, presenting the creature with a perfect opportunity to grab him.

So he waited and stared straight at the monster. Semco estimated the standoff lasted for five minutes before the “monster” decided to find breakfast elsewhere.

Another close call, not so much for Semco but his companion whose name he never learned, also involved a foxhole. It was late at night when a soldier from a nearby foxhole joined Semco. The man was frightened and crying. Semco did what he could to comfort and reassure the man that everything was going to be all right even though they were under aerial attack. He told the soldier he could stay with him for the night. In the morning they went over to the man’s foxhole. In its place was a huge bomb crater.

“There were so many close calls,” Semco said.

Assigned to guarding division headquarters that consisted of a tent, Semco remembers meeting Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

“He was the greatest soldier I’ve ever seen,” he said. He shook hands with the general, but remembers best his crisp salute.

“It wasn’t like this,” he said, offering the limp salute, which was more of a wave, commonly tendered.

Semco was fortunate not to be injured during the war, although the horrors of what he witnessed – including the shot up bodies of the enemy and the devastation of war – haunted his dreams for years.

After the war, Semco returned to Rhode Island to work as a quality control electrician at the Quonset Naval Air Station. He was married to Constance Cloutier and they became parents to four children, Paul Jr., Patricia, Richard and Robert. After Quonset closed, Semco worked for East Coast Aviation where he eventually retired.

With the pandemic, Semco’s birthday was a low-key event. A sign noting the achievement was posted on his apartment door, but family members were fearful of compromising his health and kept their best wishes to calls.

One regular visitor, Corrine Riley of O’Hara Home Care, who has been “his driver” for the past four years, was at his side Tuesday. She gets him out of the apartment, takes him to doctor appointments and does his shopping. Otherwise, Semco pretty much takes care of himself.

“He calls me sweetie, especially when I bring him dark chocolate,” she said. He also likes the chicken pot pies that Riley cuts up into meal-sized portions and freezes and he later pops into the microwave.

Riley says Semco can be stubborn at times, insisting he’s right when she’s sure that’s not the case. She’s in awe of his memory and recalls the rides they would take. He likes getting out, and on one trek covering 80 miles winding through the state, Semco gave her directions throughout the outing.

“He got me back here and I had no idea where we were going,” she said.

Semco enjoys watching golf. He didn’t talk about current events and there wasn’t a mention of politics.

As for his age, Semco tells the story of being in the hospital several years ago. They put him through a battery of tests. The doctors got together after reviewing everything and then one of them gave him the clearance to leave with the declaration, “it looks like you’re good to go for another 10 years.”

Semco smiles at the recollection. No doubt he’s thinking he might just do that.

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  • chrisp1968

    This was great to read!

    Friday, July 10, 2020 Report this