Paul Ybarra – a D-Day survivor and two-time Purple Heart recipient – celebrated his 100th birthday over the weekend in his hometown of Wellington.
Ybarra is currently a resident of the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield. His birthday, June 25, 1925 was recognized by the Wellington City Council and Thursday was declared Paul Ybarra Day.
Paul was just 18 when he enlisted. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, according to multiple online accounts of his military service.
Days later, most of his unit was killed in a tragic friendly fire bombing. Paul, one of the few survivors, became head scout and was twice wounded in combat — once in the hip and once while rescuing a fellow soldier during the Battle of the Bulge.
During his service, Paul was awarded the Purple Heart with cluster, Bronze Star with cluster, and Gallantry in Battle Medal.
He returned home, married, raised four children, and worked 40 years for the Santa Fe Railroad.
