Willard Kenneth Paeplow (June 6, 1926–April 22, 1993)

By Jake Birkett and Abigail Padfield

Early Life

Willard Kenneth Paeplow was born June 6, 1926, in Buffalo, New York. ¹ His father, Willard C. Paeplow, worked as a moulder in a foundry, bringing in a yearly income of $1300. ² This was above the median income for a man at the time, which was $956. ³ His mother, Phillis (Boffey) Paeplow, was a homemaker. ⁴ She emigrated from England in 1920, arriving in New York City, NY. ⁵ Willard had two brothers, Donald and Ronald. Willard was 13 years old when the 1940 census was recorded and, at that time, had completed school up to sixth grade. ⁶ Willard Kenneth probably went by Kenneth growing up to distinguish him from his father, who was also named Willard. ⁷

Military Service

Willard K. Paeplow joined the US Navy on April 21, 1944, just before his eighteenth birthday. ⁸ As seen here on his muster roll from 1944, he enlisted in Buffalo, NY. ⁹ He completed training sometime before September 1944 when he was assigned to the USS Springfield (CL-66). ¹⁰ Paeplow started his service on the USS Springfield as a Seaman 2nd Class (S2C). ¹¹ The USS Springfield was a Cleveland class light cruiser that served in the Pacific during World War II. It was part of the group that escorted the USS Quincy (CA-71) to Malta with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board in January 1945. ¹²

By October 1945 Paeplow had reached the rank of Seaman 1st Class (S1C). ¹³ In June 1946, according to the muster rolls shown here, he was transferred to the USS Pasadena (CL-65). ¹⁴ He later served on the USS Astoria (CL-90), reaching the rank of Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer (GM3). ¹⁵ As a GM3, Paeplow would have been responsible for the operation and maintenance of small arms, magazines, and the gun mounts on the ship. The job was considered quite complex and physically and mentally demanding. In June 1947, after transferring to the naval base in San Diego, California, he was discharged from the US Navy. ¹⁶

Paeplow reenlisted in the US Navy in June 1964 and retired in June 1986. No detailed information could be found on this period of his service. During this time he married Kathryn and they had two daughters, Linda and Gail. ¹⁷

Post-Service

Paeplow became a warehouse manager for Hugo’s Furniture near his residence in Holiday, Florida. ¹⁸ He died on April 22, 1993, at the age of 66. He is memorialized at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. ¹⁹

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