Paul William Vollstedt
1982 Aspinwall Centennial book writeup
Paul Vollstedt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Vollstedt, enlisted in the Navy January 5, 1959. Boot camp was taken at the U.S. Naval Training Center at San Diego, California.
Paul then volunteered for Naval Construction Battalion Duty and was stationed at Brown Field, Chula Vista, California, from April, 1959, until April, 1960.
He was then transferred to Mobile Construction Battalion 10 at U.S. Naval Station, Guam; the battalion returned to the United States November 24, 1960, and Paul was honorably discharged at USN Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California, December 11, 1960.


2013 information from Darlys
Paul W. Vollstedt was born September 13, 1936, near Irwin, son of Raymond and Melvina (Kuhl) Vollstedt. In 1939, the family moved to a farm near Manning where he attended country school and graduated in 1954 from Manning High School in the "Top Ten" of his class academically and was a member of Quill and Scroll and National Honor Society. Paul participated in high school basketball, football, and FFA. He was offered a football scholarship to Simpson College, but chose to spend most of his adult life farming in the Manning area. Paul earned a Diploma post-high school from ASI in Chicago to be certified as a mobile engine service technician. Paul had one sister, Darlys (Vollstedt) Bean, and five nieces and nephews.

Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was inducted into the Navy Seabees on January 5, 1959. He received his basic training in San Diego where he served as apprentice petty officer second class chosen from the ranks of the seaman recruits to assist company commanders. Selection was based on individual aptitude and leadership qualities.

Following basic training, he was stationed at Brown Field Naval Auxillary Air Station at Chula Vista, California, as a mechanic from May 1959 to April 1960. As a member of the U.S. Naval 3rd Class Seabees Mobile Construction Battalion 10, he was stationed in Guam where he was a heavy equipment operator from April to December 1960. Paul received the rank of EOH3 while serving in the Navy. Following his discharge on December 11, 1960, he returned to farming and part-time agriculture-related employment in the Manning area.


Arrival at San Diego


Clothes washing 1959 Chula Vista


Paul on right - Chula Vista


Ship that took Paul back to Guam


View of other warships at sea - unknown location


Lutheran medallion


2012 Lutheran recognition of military service


Paul's various service patches


1959 Petty officers


USN Barrett - troop ship that brought Paul back home


February 20, 1959 - Paul 2nd row 8th over from left


Darlys with her brother, Paul 1981 Manning Centennial


Graveside services for Paul


1981 Manning Ceremonial Team

Back: Louie Hammer, Louie Boell, Dale Dammann, Paul Vollstedt, Calvin Stammer, Lloyd Borkowski, Herbert Bruhn, Joe Bauer, Ronald Schilling, Jack Borkowski, Henry Willenborg Jr., Robert Tank
Middle: Raymond Pratt, Hugo “Shorty” Dammann, Gene Schatz
Front: Lyle Hansen, Robert Wegner, Kenneth Jensen, Chuck Moore, Lester Joens, Wesley Nulle, Gene Case