Cagle, Paul Haynes

Cagle was awarded the Légion d'Honneur (Chevalier degree) posthumously on November 11, 2011.

PAUL CAGLE AND JAMES WILTON on August 4th, while posted to an RAP on the Italian Front, were in an area which was under heavy shell fire. Wilton, who took shelter under his ambulance, was struck by an enemy shell. Cagle who had taken refuge with some British personnel, left his shelter to go to Jim's aid. As he was bending over him to ascertain the extent of his injuries, Paul was severely wounded. Both boys were given immediate surgical attention, but despite the quick action of the Medical Officers, they died as a result of their wounds. The service rendered by both of these boys will always remain an inspiration to those who carry on in their stead. Many AFS men have given their lives that others may live. This is the first time that one member of the Service has died in an attempt to save his friend --- "Greater love hath no man" may well be applied to Paul Cagle.

__ AFS Letters No. 29

The new advance started with a tragic double fatality. P. H. Cagle and J. B. Wilton were both mortally wounded on the morning of 4 September. They were attached to the RAP of 5 Hampshire Regiment (46th Division), which had pushed a salient into the enemy lines at S. Clemente, several miles north of Morciano. This was contested with a heavy artillery engagement. When the shelling came over the RAP area, Wilton, who was loading his ambulance, took shelter underneath it but was hit. Cagle and a British orderly went out from the shelter of the house to bring Wilton back into the RAP. Cagle was hit by the continuing shellfire as he bent over to assist Wilton. Both were evacuated to Morciano, where Paul Haynes Cagle died the next morning and James Bennett Wilton, Jr., survived until the 9th.

__ George Rock. Chapter 11. "Italy 5. The Gothic Line (25 August 1944- 15 March 1945)" History of the American Field Service, 1920-1955. New York 1956.