Paul Alfred Meluh, 92, Captain, US Army, retired, a resident of Anne Arundel County for 58 years, and previously of Baltimore, Georgia, and Ft. Bragg, NC, died March 2, 2012, at Baltimore Washington Medical Center of cardiac failure after a fourteen day illness.
Capt. Meluh was born June 26, 1919 in Baltimore, to the late Margarete and Bernhard Meluh. His early years were spent in Norfolk, VA and Cape May, NJ before returning to live in Baltimore, as his father served in the US Coast Guard. After joining the Maryland National Guard he served with the 29th Division 175th Infantry during WW II in the Battle of Normandy on D-Day. He was severely wounded in an ambush by the German Army at Carenton, France and was the sole survivor of his unit. After reaching the US Army line, he was shipped to a naval hospital in England for 6 months of a long, difficult recovery. When considered “fit for duty” he performed as a member of a training cadre to instruct all branches of the US Army to serve as infantry replacements in France, after the Battle of the Bulge.
After the war he remained in the US Army and served with honor for 23 years, receiving medals, ribbons, commendations, awards, and the Purple Heart. He moved to Anne Arundel County in 1953. Upon retirement from the Army he worked in the weapons department at the US Naval Academy until his retirement there in 1982.
Capt. Meluh was a member of the 29th Division Association of Maryland Limestone Post 72, the Disabled American Veterans Association, the NRA, Stoney Creek Hunting and Fishing Club, Pasadena Sports Fishing Club, Association of Military Officers, Chincoteague Fishing Club, Owls Club of West Baltimore, the Boy Scouts of America, and participated in many activities for the Wounded Warrior Project. As an avid outdoorsman he hunted and fished all his life. He also enjoyed sport shooting at the range as well as practicing his bow hunting skills. He taught hunter safety courses and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experiences. An active participant in his community until he was physically unable, he assisted with improvements to community property and with many water rescues in early days of moving to Anne Arundel County.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years: Geraldine Haven Meluh; three brothers: Bernhard Meluh, Conrad John Meluh, and Robert Max Meluh; and two sisters: Martha Seelye and Marie Rent.
He is survived by his loving daughter Paula Meluh, of Orchard Beach.
Funeral services will take place at the Gregory J. Gonce Funeral Home, PA, 169 Riviera Drive, Pasadena, on Friday at 11 AM. Entombment will follow, with military honors, at Loudon Park Cemetery. Family requests friends honor his life by visiting on Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. You may also express your online condolences here.
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