Eugene Paul Bickelman was born on April 2nd, 1924 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Being the second youngest in his family, Bickelman lived with his 5 siblings Federick, Mag, Phylis, Eleanor, and James as well as his parents John and Adda.
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The son of brakeman, Bickelman enlisted into the army on May 8, 1942 at a mere 18 years old in Pennsylvania's capital of Harrisburg. He remained single and without a dependent for the rest of his life.
Bickelman went to school with his 5 siblings. In high school, he ran in South Lebanon High School's Cross Country team and ended up only completing 3 years of high school in 1941.
Bickelman's childhood home built 1826.
At the age of 15, Bickelman watched World War II commence.
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Front page of London's Evening Standard newspaper on Sept. 1, 1939, announcing the German invasion of Poland.
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Bickelman (15) in the 1941 Ionian Yearbook from South Lebanon High School
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