​Paul Osaiah Bleecker was born in New York on July 28, 1921. Although we know little of his life before and after the war, he briefly attended the College of the City of New York (CUNY) before enlisting in the U.S. Army in July 1942.

 

Bleecker served as a clerk for the MFAA Sub-Commission of the Allied Military Government (AMG) in Italy. His duties included managing files, typing memos and reports, and delivering correspondence submitted by the Monuments Men stationed in the Tuscany, Emilia, and Lombardia regions. Bleecker often worked closely with Monuments Man Lt. Frederick Hartt. Years later, Hartt gifted Bleecker a copy of his memoir, Florentine Art Under Fire (1949) with the inscription, “To Paul, with more grateful memories and good wishes than can easily be said.”

 

Following his return to the United States in December 1945, Bleecker studied law at Columbia University Law School. He then began a career in law which included appointments to practices in New York City as well as work as a conseil juridique in France. A member of the prestigious Bohemian Club, Bleecker died in Queens, New York on January 17, 1987.

 

The Foundation is very interested in learning more about Paul Bleecker’s life, in particular his military service as a Monuments Man. If you have any information, please contact abottinelli@monumentsmenfoundation.org.