Seine Disciplinary Training Center

Private First Class Paul M. Kluxdal

In many World War II death penalty cases, military psychiatrists, using intelligence tests, found that the accused were substantially below average.  Such was not the case with Private First Class Paul M. Kluxdal.

Paul Kluxdal

Born on July 17, 1907 in Merrill, Wisconsin, Kluxdal was a radio operator in his unit, an occupation that required some real skill.  From November 19, 1924 to July 14, 1927, he had served in the Wisconsin National Guard; he also attended the University of Wisconsin for two years.  Prior to enlisting, Kluxdal, who was white, was married and lived in Oak Park, Chicago, Illinois; he was a construction foreman, building commercial chimneys.  His wife worked for the War Department in Chicago; the couple had no children.  Then Private First Class Paul Kluxdal did two stupid things.  For several months, he made threatening statements against his first sergeant.  Then, on August 12, 1944, he shot and killed his first sergeant.  Despite his intelligence, that combination of events would get him hanged.

Master Sergeant John C Woods, US Army Hangman

Master Sergeant John C. Woods hanged Paul Kluxdal at the Seine Disciplinary Training Center on October 31, 1944, Halloween.  And just like some of the scary visions of that holiday, the hanging was botched and it appears that it took eighteen minutes for the condemned man to die.

The Fifth Field analyzes the entire Kluxdal case and its contradictory evidence, as well as the execution (which is also discussed in American Hangman) and you can come to your own conclusion as to what should have happened in this case.

British historian Paul Johnson kindly found this photograph of Paul Kluxdal and sent it to me, so now you can put a face to a name.

Private First Class Paul M. Kluxdal2022-07-30T09:38:40-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, T-W

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Valentine

Leo Sr.

Thursday, December 4, 1924

Gastonia, North Carolina

Wednesday, November 29, 1944

Beaunay, Marne, France

Henry L. Peck/Woods Assistant Hanged

Waters

John H.

Sunday, October 1, 1905

Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Thursday, February 10, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Alexander Riley Hanged

Watson

Frank

Saturday, March 3, 1945

La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Watson

Joseph

Texarkana, Texas

Wednesday, November 8, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Mortimer H. Christian Hanged

Watson

Ray

Tuesday, August 29, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

White

Armstead

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

Joseph V. DePaul Dillon Hanged

White

David

Saturday, July 12, 1919

Shamrock, Florida

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

Joseph V. DePaul Dillon Hanged

Whitfield

Clarence

Thursday, February 7, 1924

Wrightsville, North Carolina

Monday, August 14, 1944

Canisy, France

Thomas Pierrepoint Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, T-W2015-09-08T19:25:19-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, P-S

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Philpot

Henry C.

Friday, June 22, 1917

Redding, California

Monday, September 10, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Pittman

Willie Aron

Monday, August 26, 1918

Campbellton, Florida

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

Joseph V. DePaul Dillon Hanged

Pygate

Benjamin

Tuesday, February 2, 1909

Dillon, South Carolina

Tuesday, November 28, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Philip J. Flynn (led Firing Squad) Shot

Robinson

Charles M.

Wednesday, April 4, 1923

Houston, Texas

Friday, September 28, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Rollins

Alvin R.

Friday, December 5, 1924

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Thursday, May 31, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Sanders

James B.

Saturday, June 9, 1917

Lockhart, South Carolina

Wednesday, October 25, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Mortimer H. Christian/Woods Assistant Hanged

Schmiedel

Werner

Sunday, May 4, 1919

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Monday, June 11, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Scott

Richard B.

Wednesday, August 23, 1916

Carrolton, Texas

Saturday, November 18, 1944

Fort Du Roule, Cherbourg, France

Mortimer H. Christian Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, P-S2015-09-08T19:32:16-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, J-M

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Jones

Kinney

Sunday, March 15, 1914

Greenville, South Carolina

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

John W. Daschner, William Vassil, Durey G. Ranck Hanged

Jones

Cubia

Monday, May 12, 1919

Thomson, Georgia

Saturday, March 17, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Herbert Morris Hanged

Jones

Edwin P.

Monday, February 16, 1920

Henry County, Kentucky

Wednesday, January 5, 1944

Oran, Algeria

Arthur S. Imell Hanged

Jordan

Charles H.

Saturday, October 9, 1920

Monticello, Georgia

Wednesday, November 22, 1944

Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Unknown Hanged

Kendrick

James E.

Wednesday, March 22, 1922

Picayune, Mississippi

Saturday, July 17, 1943

Oran, Algeria

Unknown Hanged

Kluxdal

Paul M.

Wednesday, July 17, 1907

Merrill, Wisconsin

Tuesday, October 31, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Mortimer H. Christian/Woods Assistant Hanged

Leatherberry

J.C.

Thursday, January 19, 1922

Hazelhurst, Mississippi

Tuesday, May 16, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Mack

John H.

Wednesday, May 11, 1910

Menlo, Georgia

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

John W. Daschner, William Vassil, Durey Ranck Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, J-M2015-09-08T19:37:59-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, A-C

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Agee

Amos

Wednesday, February 16, 1916

Linden, Alabama

Saturday, March 3, 1945

La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Anderson

Roy W.

Saturday, September 22, 1917

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Wednesday, October 25, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Mortimer H. Christian/Woods Assistant Hanged

Bailey

Milbert

Sunday, September 6, 1914

Louisiana

Thursday, April 19, 1945

La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Baldwin

Walter J.

Sunday, October 8, 1922

Shell Mound, Mississippi

Wednesday, January 17, 1945

Beaufay, Sarthe, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Bennerman

Sydney

Thursday, January 31, 1918

Wilmington, North Carolina

Monday, October 15, 1945

Les Milles, France (Delta DTC)

Firing Squad Shot

Brinson

Eliga

Friday, February 21, 1919

Tallahassee, Florida

Friday, August 11, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint Hanged

Burns

Lee A.

Sunday, November 9, 1913

Homer, Louisiana

Tuesday, March 27, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Clark

Ernest Lee

Tuesday, August 10, 1920

Clifton Forge, Virginia

Monday, January 8, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Clay

Matthew Jr.

Monday, July 26, 1920

Avery Island, Louisiana

Monday, June 4, 1945

Fontenay-sur-Mer, Manche, France

John C. Woods Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, A-C2015-09-08T19:44:44-05:00

US Army Executions World War II in Europe and Africa

Master Sergeant John C Woods, US Army Hangman

 

The 96

Last Name

First Name

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Cobb

David

Friday, March 12, 1943

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Smith

Harold A.

Friday, June 25, 1943

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Kendrick

James E.

Saturday, July 17, 1943

Oran, Algeria

Pittman

Willie Aron

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

Stroud

Harvey L.

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

White

Armstead

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

White

David

Monday, August 30, 1943

Termini, Sicily

Smith

Charles H.

Monday, September 06, 1943

Oran, Algeria

Davis

Lee A.

Tuesday, December 14, 1943

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Jones

Edwin P.

Wednesday, January 05, 1944

Oran, Algeria

Waters

John H.

Thursday, February 10, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Spears

Charles E.

Wednesday, April 19, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Leatherberry

J.C.

Tuesday, May 16, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Harris

Wiley Jr.

Friday, May 26, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Miranda

Alex F.

Tuesday, May 30, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Donnelly

Robert L.

Wednesday, May 31, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Brinson

Eliga

Friday, August 11, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Smith

Willie

Friday, August 11, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Whitfield

Clarence

Monday, August 14, 1944

Canisy, France

Watson

Ray

Tuesday, August 29, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Thomas

Madison

Thursday, October 12, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Anderson

Roy W.

Wednesday, October 25, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Sanders

James B.

Wednesday, October 25, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Kluxdal

Paul M.

Tuesday, October 31, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Watson

Joseph

Wednesday, November 08, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Wimberly

Willie Jr.

Wednesday, November 08, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Maxey

Curtis L.

Saturday, November 18, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Pennyfeather

William D.

Saturday, November 18, 1944

Fort Du Roule, Cherbourg, France

Scott

Richard B.

Saturday, November 18, 1944

Fort Du Roule, Cherbourg, France

McGann

Theron W.

Monday, November 20, 1944

St. Lo, Manche, France

Davis

Arthur E.

Wednesday, November 22, 1944

Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Jordan

Charles H.

Wednesday, November 22, 1944

Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Hendricks

James E.

Friday, November 24, 1944

Chateau La Vallee, Plumaudan, Cotes-du-Nord, France

Pygate

Benjamin

Tuesday, November 28, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Newman

Oscar N.

Wednesday, November 29, 1944

Beaunay, Marne, France

Valentine

Leo Sr.

Wednesday, November 29, 1944

Beaunay, Marne, France

Davis

William E.

Wednesday, December 27, 1944

Guiclan, Finistere, France

Clark

Ernest Lee

Monday, January 08, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Guerra

Augustine M.

Monday, January 08, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Cooper

John David

Tuesday, January 09, 1945

Lerouville, Meuse, France

Baldwin

Walter J.

Wednesday, January 17, 1945

Beaufay, Sarthe, France

Farrell

Arthur J.

Friday, January 19, 1945

St. Sulpice de, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Twiggs

James W.

Monday, January 22, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Holden

Mervin

Tuesday, January 30, 1945

Fort d’Orange, Citadel, Namur, Belgium

Spencer

Elwood J.

Tuesday, January 30, 1945

Fort d’Orange, Citadel, Namur, Belgium

Slovik

Eddie

Wednesday, January 31, 1945

Ste. Marie-Aux-Mines, France

Wilson

J. P.

Friday, February 02, 1945

Lerouville, Meuse, France

Skinner

Robert L.

Saturday, February 10, 1945

Bricquebec, Manche, France

Yancy

Waiters

Saturday, February 10, 1945

Bricquebec, Manche, France

Mack

William

Thursday, February 15, 1945

Plabennec, Finisterre, France

Crews

Otis B.

Wednesday, February 21, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Downes

William C.

Wednesday, February 28, 1945

Etienville, Manche, France

Agee

Amos

Saturday, March 03, 1945

La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France

Smith

John C.

Saturday, March 03, 1945

La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France

Watson

Frank

Saturday, March 03, 1945

La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France

Jones

Cubia

Saturday, March 17, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Pearson

Robert L.

Saturday, March 17, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Jones

Kinney

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Mack

John H.

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Taylor

John W.

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Burns

Lee A.

Tuesday, March 27, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Grant

General L.

Tuesday, March 27, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Smalls

Abraham

Tuesday, March 27, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Davison

Tommie

Thursday, March 29, 1945

Prise Guinment, Manche, France

Williams

Olin W.

Thursday, March 29, 1945

Le Chene Daniel, Manche, France

Harrison

William Jr.

Saturday, April 07, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Hopper

Benjamin F.

Wednesday, April 11, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Bailey

Milbert

Thursday, April 19, 1945

La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France

Jones

James L.

Thursday, April 19, 1945

La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France

Williams

John

Thursday, April 19, 1945

La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France

McGhee

Shelton Sr.

Friday, May 04, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Smith

George E. Jr.

Tuesday, May 08, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Green

George Jr.

Tuesday, May 15, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Heard

Haze

Monday, May 21, 1945

Mesnil-Clinchamps, Calvados, France

McCarter

William J.

Monday, May 28, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Norris

Clete O.

Thursday, May 31, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Rollins

Alvin R.

Thursday, May 31, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Clay

Matthew Jr.

Monday, June 04, 1945

Fontenay-sur-Mer, Manche, France

Schmiedel

Werner

Monday, June 11, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Martinez

Aniceto

Friday, June 15, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Ortiz

Victor

Thursday, June 21, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Johnson

Willie

Tuesday, June 26, 1945

La Heye Peshnel, France

McMurray

Fred A.

Monday, July 02, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Till

Louis

Monday, July 02, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Jefferies

Charles H.

Thursday, July 05, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Jones

John T.

Thursday, July 05, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Nelson

Henry W.

Thursday, July 05, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Gordon

Tom E.

Tuesday, July 10, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Wray

Robert

Monday, August 20, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Philpot

Henry C.

Monday, September 10, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Robinson

Charles M.

Friday, September 28, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Mariano

Blake W.

Wednesday, October 10, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

Bennerman

Sydney

Monday, October 15, 1945

Les Milles, France (Delta DTC)

Parker

Woodrow

Monday, October 15, 1945

Les Milles, France (Delta DTC)

Ervin

Charlie Jr.

Friday, October 19, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Spinks

Mansfield

Friday, October 19, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

US Army Executions World War II in Europe and Africa2015-09-08T19:49:44-05:00

The Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, Mortier Caserne, 1945

The Seine Disciplinary Training Center, 1945

Five American soldiers were hanged at this DTC, located in eastern Paris, from October 25, 1944 to November 8, 1944.  Major Mortimer H. Christian presided over all five hangings.  Master Sergeant John C. Woods assisted in at least three.  Willie Wimberly Jr., Joseph Watson, Paul M. Kluxdal, James B. Sanders and Roy W. Anderson were hanged at the center located at the Caserne Mortier.  The site is now part of the French intelligence services and access is not permitted.

The Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, Mortier Caserne, 19452015-09-08T19:19:41-05:00
Go to Top