When Paul Frances Riley was born on December 25, 1913, his father, Thomas, was 37 and his mother, Eva, was 33. He entered the military service in Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private in the 378th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division. He died on November 18, 1944 and is now buried in Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.