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Paul was a lifelong New Jersey resident. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943, a few weeks after graduating from Bayonne Technical High School. He did his initial boot camp training in Parris Island, South Carolina and because of his mechanical background he went on to Quantico, Virginia for artillery repair school.  He was shipped overseas and was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific war front on the Solomon Islands.

He was assigned to an open turret tank to be a 30-caliber machine gunner and on April 1, 1945, Easter Sunday, he was among thousands of combat troops who landed on Okinawa to begin a dangerous military offensive. He performed valiantly in numerous capacities including gunner, stretcher bearer and deploying explosives. 

World War II ended shortly thereafter and Corporal Sinnicke was next stationed in China to assist in the reconstruction efforts following their enemy occupation. After ten months in China Paul returned stateside and was honorably discharged at Bainbridge, Maryland. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service and Good Conduct medals. Both of Paul’s younger brothers also served in the military, Henry in the Army, and Richard in the Air Force.

Although Paul had a challenging and stress filled time while on active duty, he was able to reflect on several happier and memorable events. One happened just before he was sent overseas. While on a brief leave, he attended a troop entertainment show in California. During the show he had the opportunity to dance with a Hollywood legend named Betty Grable. He recounted his special dance many times throughout his life to his friends and family. The other “life changing” event occurred during his boot camp training. Everyday there was an early morning roll call inspection of the troops. One morning his Commanding Officer was displeased over the poor quality of his shaving and Paul was made to do extra calisthenics and duties for an extended period. He never forgot this and for the rest of his life he was clean shaven and meticulous in his shaving habits. Everyone smiled when he went through his daily morning ritual.

After his discharge Paul went to Union County College and majored in mechanical engineering. He transferred to Rutgers University on the G.I. Bill and entered the pharmaceutical industry, working for International Nickel and Johnson & Johnson. Upon retirement he ran a successful guesthouse in Ocean City for over twenty years. Paul married his first wife, Elsa, in 1951 and they raised two children, Pamela and Paul. Elsa predeceased Paul in 1997 and he was fortunate to meet and marry his second wife Olena.

Paul was very proud to have served his country as a Marine during World War II. It was only later in life that he would tell stories of the battle in Okinawa and subsequent time in China. He was thankful never to be wounded and to be able to return to the United States.