Manchester World War II Veteran Still Serves Country Through Writing

As World War II Veteran Paul W. Wittmer celebrates another Memorial Day, he has one more accomplishment to add to his list.

The St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired recently awarded the Manchester resident the 2011 Legacy Award. It's certainly well deserved. Wittmer, 87, is a World War II submariner, cancer survivor, author, publisher and St. Louis Society for the Blind client. 

Wittmer joined the Navy at 18 and became a submariner on the U.S.S. Tinosa SS-283 where he completed six war patrols. However, it's his interest in genealogy that took him in a different direction. It started with writing his first book about Tinosa called Encounter. With the help of several of his shipmates, he wrote the novel based on his research through personal interviews. 

"That was quite a book," Wittmer told Town and Country-Manchester Patch. "That was my first attempt at hardcover books."

Since then, he's taken his passion for genealogy and turned it into a lifelong commitment to preserving history. Wittmer owns PW-Publications, LLC and publishes his books himself. In one effort, he said he researched more than 3,600 U.S. submarine men who perished during World War II. He researched their basic genealogy and created a two-volume book set. 

He told Patch he believes national and state memorials dedicated to all troops who died fighting for their country do not share enough details about the lives of those men and women.

"It's never been done. Nobody else has taken the job on. So I took on the job of investigating  the genealogy of the men who were lost," Wittmer said. "So now we have information for the next two or three generations of young people coming along who want to know what happened."

And Wittmer requests from the families of people he's researched keep him busy.

"I get inquiries from their families. I give them the story of their ancestors and they're very appreciative. I just had four or five inquiries over the last few days from some nieces and nephews who wanted to know about their families," Wittmer said. "I 'm very proud. I get some beautiful letters about my work. They bring tears to your eyes."

It's that appreciation that has Wittmer offering his knowledge to so many. He encourages more people to take an interest in documenting their family history, he said.

"I think somebody who's involved in the present day should be more involved in the basic genealogy and recording their history. Get something together and publish it," Wittmer said. "Get involved with genealogy of your own family or you have nothing left.  All you'll have left is a stone with a man's name on it."

Wittmer said sharing his research about the lives of World War II veterans is his way of honoring them and keeping their memories alive. However, on his journey he has hit roadblocks, but they've yet to stop him.

A few years ago, Wittmer was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He underwent treatment and said he still has some side effects from the chemotherapy, but he's still writing. 

Then Wittmer was dealt what could have been a devastating blow for an author. He was diagnosed with macular degeneration. His eyesight began failing. The St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired provided him with magnifiers, a special keyboard and a magnifying screen adaptor for his computer. Now he's able to work daily at his home office and conduct research at libraries and archives.

"Without that help, I would have a hard time writing anything," Wittmer said. "I do some considerable research with the National Archives."

“Paul Wittmer is a visually impaired person who has overcome challenges associated with his condition and continues to work as a writer and publisher, serving as an inspiration to many people in our community," said St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired President David Ekin in a press release. It was in April that the Society awarded Wittmer the 2011 Legacy Award.  "We are proud to recognize Paul for his many accomplishments in life and his continuing work as an author."

Whittmer's books can be found ancestry section of  many libraries, including In the St. Louis County Library in downtown St. Louis.

He also has a new book coming out titled Spyron that's about the man who organized secret operations in the Philippines in 1942 to assist the guerrillas and resistance to the Japanese rule in the Philippines.  

"A lot of secret stuff that's never been put out before. It's exciting," Wittmer said. He expects Spyron to be available by late June.

However, Monday, as many celebrate Memorial Day with ceremonies, Wittmer said he and his wife will likely say home.

"Usually my wife and attend the memorial services at Jefferson Barracks. Now I stay home close to the phone and computer because on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, I get swamped by inquiries," Wittmer explained. "I just respond to all these people who want to know something about their great grandpa or their Uncle Jim."

He said he enjoys helping those with questions. He also offers a bit of advice this Memorial Day. He says to pay attention to the past.

"If you know the past, you should be able to predict the future," Wittmer said. "History is repeating itself and the American people don't seem to realize that.  We don't seem to want to learn."

To learn about Wittmer’s work, including his previous books, visit his website subvetpaul.com. 

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