Paul Herbert Jordon was born on May 19, 1913, in New Hampshire, with his official home of record registered in Nashua and Hillsboro within Hillsborough County. He initially served on active duty in the United States Army as an infantry officer during World War II, where he acquired tactical command experience. After completing his World War II service, he returned to civilian life in New England and married Marjorie Mercer.

Following the outbreak of the Korean War in mid-1950, Jordon was recalled to active duty in the U.S. Army at the rank of Captain (Army Service Number O-01292705). He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and deployed overseas to reinforce American ground forces on the Korean peninsula.

By late October 1950, Captain Jordon’s unit advanced into North Korea to positions surrounding the town of Unsan. On the night of November 1, 1950, the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces executed a massive coordinated surprise attack, cutting off supply lines and encircling the 3rd Battalion. As Chinese infantry overran the Headquarters Company command post during the battle, Captain Jordon was officially reported missing in action on November 2, 1950, and was subsequently taken prisoner.

Captain Jordon was held as a Prisoner of War in North Korea during the severe winter of 1950–1951. On April 30, 1951, six months after his capture, the Department of the Army issued a formal administrative finding of death. Following the 1953 armistice and prisoner exchanges, Jordon was confirmed among the unaccounted-for casualties, and his remains were never recovered from North Korea.

Following advocacy efforts by local veteran organizations, Captain Jordon was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, which was presented to his surviving family at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. His name is permanently inscribed on the War Memorial Room Plaque at the University of New Hampshire’s Memorial Union Building.