Col. Paul E. Doherty, a La Jolla Resident for 29 Years, Dies at 72

Retired Army Col. Paul E. Doherty, 72, a La Jolla resident for 29 years, died at home Dec. 27 after a long illness.

Doherty was a native of Winchester, Mass., who, after the death of his parents, was raised, along with a sister, by Wyoming Sen. Joseph O’Mahoney and his wife.

Doherty began a 30-year Army career in 1938 after graduating from the University of Wyoming.

A captain during World War II, he commanded a company in the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division during the allied invasion of North Africa in 1942. He also served in campaigns in Italy, southern France and the Rhineland. He was later assigned to the staff of Supreme Allied Headquarters.

His decorations included the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Belgian Croix de Guerre with palm.

In Korea, he was a staff officer with the 8th Cavalry Brigade.

He was promoted to colonel in 1966 and served with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in France.

He is survived by his wife, Marie S.; three daughters, Elizabeth A. Kahan of La Jolla, Patricia A. Hughes of Colorado Springs and Marie L. Finn of Kodiak, Alaska; two sons, Robert S. and Paul E. Doherty of La Jolla; two sisters, Julia Martini of Boston and Agnes Sullivan of Falls Church, Va.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was buried with military honors Saturday at El Camino Memorial Park after Requiem Mass at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.