Formal photo On the bridge in WW II
at the rank of
Kapitänleutnant
PAUL JUST began his career in the Wehrmacht as a flier, but when Hermann Göring took total command of everything that flew, JUST, like so many others, was transferred to duty with the U-Boats. As Skipper of U-546, he had several patrols but sank only one ship - the 1,200 ton American destroyer escort USS FREDERICK C. DAVIS. The victory was short-lived as U-546 was immediately counter-attacked by the destroyer escorts USS VARIAN, USS HUBBARD, USS JANSEN, USS KEITH, USS NUENZER, USS PILLSBURY, USS CHATELAIN and USS FLAHERTY - these last three being veterans of the U-505 capture. Twenty-four of the crew were lost, but JUST and the remainder of the crew were picked up by the American ships and they spent the balance of the war plus a couple more years, in PoW camps.
Years after the war ended, JUST became friends with ART HUNTLEY #2283-1992, the radioman from the ship he sank - USS DAVIS. JUST kept a travel trailer at the California home of HUNTLEY where he and his wife would spend winters - the true meaning of:
"Yesterday's Enemies are Today's Friends"
Captain JUST was always friendly and helpful to Sharkhunters, and a good man.
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