LONG NECK - LTC Paul L. Hewett, U.S. Army-Retired, 88, of Long Neck, faded away at his home on Feb. 26, 2011. Paul was born in Wilmington, on Feb. 3, 1923, to the late William C. and Ellen F. Hewett. Because of temporary blindness caused by Whooping Cough, he was unable to start school until Feb. 3, 1930, his seventh birthday. He graduated from Henry C. Conrad High School in 1941. Paul later received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. As a student and in his later life, Paul had a great interest in geography. His dream to travel widely was fulfilled, and he lived in or visited 32 countries and every state in the United States. Paul was a musician and performed both as a trombonist and a vocalist with the Stan Barton and the Royalists band. He also played with Bill Slaughter and the Cadets. He played local clubs as a vocalist with local combos. Paul also performed as an emcee and acted in local stage productions. After graduating from high school, Paul worked at Fort DuPont in the Office of the Morale Officer as a clerk. In 1942, he became a member of the Engineering Department of the DuPont Company. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. After this initial military service, he returned to DuPont and was Chief Clerk in the Office Buildings Department until he was recalled to active military duty in 1950. After retiring from the military in 1970, he worked at Equitable Bancorporation, Baltimore, Maryland. He retired in 1983 as Director of Personnel Operations. Paul's military career began with a stint as an Infantryman Mortar Gunner assigned to the 29th Infantry Regiment, where he was promoted to PFC. He was commissioned an officer in France and served in the 101st Infantry Regiment. In January, 1946, he was separated from active duty and assigned to the Army Reserve Forces. Then, in 1950, Paul was recalled to active duty and assigned to the 502nd Airborne Infantry Regiment's 101st Airborne Division as a Training Instructor. In this assignment, he developed, implemented, and narrated a demonstration of an Infantry Company in attack supported by Armor, Artillery, and Air Force. Paul's next assignment was Executive Officer, 8th Army Public Information Office. He also served as General Maxwell Taylor's Correspondents Liaison Officer, participated in "Big Switch" and "Little Switch" POW exchanges, and was liaison to the Joint Field Press Censorship Group. He attended the Army Language and the Army Intelligence Schools. Paul served in many Intelligence assignments in Korea, Berlin, and Vietnam. Between the postings, he was a member of the Staff & Faculty of the Army Intelligence School. From 1968 to 1970, he was the Army Intelligence School's Liaison Officer to all national agencies in Washington, D.C. Among his decorations are the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He also had a variety of Campaign Medals with Stars and other service medals. Paul retired from Equitable Bancorporation in July, 1978. He was an Admiral of the Port of Baltimore. In civilian life, Paul was active in many areas. He served in many capacities at Mary Mother of Peace Church, to include Trustee, Finance Council and Parish Council member, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector. Paul was awarded the Order of Merit, Diocese of Wilmington by Bishop Saltarelli. He was a member of the Delaware State Examining Board of Physical Therapy (1989-1997). Paul was President of Pot-Nets Tenants' Association (1988-1992); Chairman of the Long Neck Resident's Committee (1990-1992); Member of the Advisory Committee for Adult Education and Continuing Education at the Delaware Technical College; a Senior Intern to Senator William J. Roth; a member of the Sussex County Committee, National Committee on Aging; a member of Sussex Country Association of Towns (Long Neck); a member of the Indian River School District Education 2000 Committee on Participatory Management and Communications; the Long Neck Area Chairman, Beebe Hospital Drive 2000; a member of the Long Neck Sewer Committee and the Long Neck Elementary School Committee; the Coordinator of the Long Neck Health Fair (1991-1995); and a designer who was instrumental in developing and obtaining the use of retired military license plates. Paul was a Life Member of the AARP. He was past President of the Southeastern Sussex Chapter #3543 and a Charter Member of Long Neck Chapter #4903. He served as the District Director for the AARP in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware (1992-1997), and he organized Long Neck Chapter #4903. Paul also served in the American Legion as a Life Member at Post #28, Oak Orchard; with the Military Officer's Association of America-Life Member-in the Southeast Sussex Chapter, MOAA; with the Veterans of Foreign wars-Life Member at Large; with the National Infantry Association-Life Member; with the 29th Infantry Regimental Association-Life Member; and with Bishop Burke Council, Knights of Columbus as a Life Member. Paul was an avid member of the First State Webfooter Walking Club, and was an American Volksport Association 50-State Walker. He received a Meritorious Service Award for this work. Finally, he was a member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association. Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Catherine "Kitty" Fontana Hewett. He is survived by his three children. Paul Jr. and his wife Beth, William and his wife Tammy, and daughter, Catherine "Camie" Twyford. Grandchildren include, Russell Hewett, Daniel, Nathan, and Chloe Hewett, Nikolas and Caitlind Twyford, Melissa Bolton, and Chris Lynn Adkins. Great-grandchildren include, Elianna, Veronica, Kayla Bolton, David Elijah Adkins, Lorilei Adkins. As a man of great love of God, family, and country, Paul will be deeply and sorely missed by family, friends, and colleagues alike. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 4 , 2011 at 11 a.m. at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church, 30839 Mount Joy Rd, Millsboro, DE 19966 with interment with full military honors at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.