Private Paul M. Tobin
United States Army (1942-1944)

Paul Michael Tobin was born on February 24, 1914, to John F. and Mazie Tobin of Bedford Avenue in the Hill District. He had two sisters, Frances and Lois. In 1925, the Tobin family moved to Brookline, settling into a new home at 1037 Woodbourne Avenue.

Paul was a graduate of Resurrection Elementary and South Hills High School, and soon a member of the Brookline Businessmen's Association. A general handyman and employee at Regis Vogel's dairy store at 812 Brookline Boulevard, Paul completed two years of college at Duquesne University before taking a job with the Duquesne Light Company as a watchmen.

On June 11, 1942, Paul married Ida Mae Yoest of 1400 Merrick Avenue. One month later, on July 20, he enlisted in the Army. From November 1942 through February 1944, Pfc. Tobin served overseas. He was assigned to the HQ of a Provisional Mech. Erect. Detachment, a special ordnance unit.

During the Italian Campaign, in February 1944, Pfc. Tobin was badly wounded during the Battle for Monte Cassino and suffered from extensive tissue damage to the left side of his face. He spent the rest of his service time in Army hospitals undergoing surgeries attempting to repair that damage. Paul was discharged from the service on December 23, 1944.

Unfortunately, the tissue trauma triggered the onset of spindlecell sarcoma, which by the time of his discharge had advanced to a dangerous malignant stage. Less than two months later, on February 6, 1945, Paul M. Tobin of 1037 Woodbourne Avenue, a member of the Dormont VFW Post, passed away at age thirty in the Aspinwall Veteran's Hospital.

Pfc. Paul Michael Tobin's death was reported in the Pittsburgh Press the following day. A solemn high mass of requiem was sung on February 9, at Resurrection Church, followed by a military ceremony and interment at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Lawrenceville.

* Written by Clint Burton: March 8, 2019 *

The Brookline War Memorial

Listed below are many of the sons of Brookline who gave their
lives to preserve freedom and contain aggression during
World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.
Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
General George S. Patton
 

World War I (1917-1919)

The World War I Memorial - Washington D.C.

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World War II (1941-1945)

The World War II Memorial - Washington D.C.

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Korean War (1950-1953)

Korean War Memorial - Washington D.C.

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Vietnam War (1965-1973)

Vietnam War Memorial - Washington D.C.

The Brookline Monument - The Cannon

<Brookline War Memorial> <> <Brookline History>