Frank and Grace Albano gave birth to their son, Paul Frank Albano in 1927. He was
a lifelong resident of Hazleton, PA. He had one brother, James and one sister, Lucille.
Frank was the youngest. His World War II registration card indicated he was five foot two inches tall.
Montana Paul was actually a native of the coal mining area of Pennsylvania,
born in Hazleton. When he was about ten years old, he took an interest
in music and in hillbilly, western and folk in particular. He bought a guitar,
started playing for folks where he could get the engagements.
They wrote that by the time he was 15, he was singing at floor shows,
parks, bazaars and on the radio.
In 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Pickett,
Virginia. While there, he kept up his music by entertaining the troops there.
After he finished his basic training, me went to Fort Benning, Georgia
where he became ill and ended up discharged and totally disabled. He was
hindered in some activities, but could still play the guitar and entertain
folks. He wrote a letter to the local Hazleton citizens in their newspaper, pleading his case
and asking for their help and support. Below is that letter in its entirety.
A Local Veteran's Plea
March 20, 1953
"I enlisted in the United States Army on November 23, 1948, in Wilkes-Barre, PA., and was sent
to Camp Pickett, VA, where I took all my basic training. Upon completion, I was sent to Fort Benning,
GA. I took sick while at Fort Benning and was sent to a station hospital, where, after a period of about
a month, I was discharged, totally disabled from the U. S. Army. Since my discharge, I am on D.P.A., which
is better known as relief.
I was discharged from Fort Benning Station Hospital on May 27th, 1949. I was told at the hospital
when I got discharged that I would receive full disability for rheumoid arthritis. When I tried to get
pensioned and hospitalized I was refused, by the V. A.
Mr. Frederic Bachelor from the V.F.W. in Wilkes-Barre in the V. A. building, tried to get me pensioned
and hospitalized but the V. A. claims I went in the service with this condition. Well, now I ask you this, how
could I have passed the examination for the service? All I know is that I passed the physical requirements.
Now they claim this condition was prior to my entry in service. Well, in my personal opinion I feel, that
the doctor that passed me should be held responsible for his mistakes. I passed is all I know and I am suffering
for the mistake the Army made.
Just recently I had a story in The Plain Speaker and also in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, but it didn't help me.
So now I am pleading with all Hazleton's citizens and surrounding towns to take an interest in my case
and help me out with my fight for justice.
I have appealed it quite a few times to the Honorable Harry S. Truman, our past President of the United
States. Also to Governor John S. Fine. Also the past Congressman Daniel J. Flood in Washington, DC ... I received
letters from all of them stating that they were very sorry to hear about my troubles. So they looked
into my case. Then came election time and Flood lost and Mr. Truman was out of office. But this is not going to
stop me, even if I have to go directly to Washington, DC, to see the President of the United States,
the Honorable Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In case you are interested in my case I plead with you to write to Congressman Edward Bonin of
Pennsylvania so he would investigate my case since my entry into the Army of the United States.
You can also appeal my case to Mr. Frederic Bachelor, V.F.W. service officer, main floor, 19-27 North Main Street,
Veterans Administration Building, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
They say that the scale of justice is even in weight. Well, in my case I feel that it doesn't balance right.
I feel as long as I am an American citizen I have every right to fight for my rights. And I always will
do so as long as I have the strength and courage.
Many people from the Hazleton region and surrounding towns know me as Paul F. Albano, (Montana Paul), the
singing cowboy who entertained at parks, weddings, banquets, also at block parties. I will stand by
my Constitutional rights and face anybody.
I want to thank the staff of The Plain Speaker, and Standard-Sentinel, for printing my story. I will
be on Broad Street with a petition all next week. Please help me out with my fight for justice.
Thanking you...
Mr. Paul F. Albano
Hazleton, PA
In September of 1953, Paul took his grievance to Washington, DC and attracted media attention. He picketed
the White House. He got out of a cab around 10 am on a Monday and began his march on the sidewalk. He was questioned
by secret service agents and White House guards. After some discussions and questions, he was allowed
to continue, but "had to keep moving." Paul told a reporter that everyone was courteous to him and at
one point, the guards insisted he rest a while in front of their office.
On April 9, 1957, the Veterans Administration decided his claims in his favor after his eight year efforts.
Nancy Griesmer wrote that the decision read in part, "On administrative review and on the basis of a difference
of opinion only, it is administratively determined that service connection is warranted for rheumatoid arthritis, effective
from the date of this decision." His health care and disability payments were to be effective the day
the decision was rendered, April 9, 1957.
Several attorneys for Paul had advised him the
case was hopeless. But Attorney Robert J. Gillespie of Hazleton took the case on October 30, 1956. He attended
four hearings as well as filing briefs with the VA board in Washington, DC. He took on the case knowing
that Paul couldn't pay him. When asked why he took on the challenge, Mr. Gillespie responded: "Because
I thought he was right."
It was said the file for Mr. Albano's case with the VA was probably one
of the largest ever seen. He kept producing records "...to prove his condition started during service."
Congressman Daniel Flood even introduced a special bill in the U. S. House of Representatives to cover
rheumatoid arthritic veterans, but it did not pass.
Mr. Albano started his case shortly after his discharge from the Army in 1949. There were at least
12 hearings over the years before the board of Veterans Appeals in Wilkes-Barre and Washington, DC. His
final hearing was in Wilkes-Barre in November 1956. The case was then sent to the board of VA appeals
in Washington, DC and the final decision was delivered on April 9.
Per Ms. Griesmer, Mr. Gillespie indicated that there 50,000 rheumatoid arthritic veterans in the country
at that time who were not being covered as a group by the VA.
When the decision in his favor was first handed down, he was given a 60 percent disability rating. But
he continued his fight. He was awarded a 100 percent disability rating in May 1958.
Montana Paul made the news in January 1954 when the local paper reported that he was to have an audition
with radio station WWVA in Wheeling, WV. It was to occur during the last week of January 1954. Montana Paul
at the time specialized in western songs.
Montana Paul was his name as a performer. But as he became politically active in the local town, he
was Paul Albano. The first position he tried for was City Constable as a Republican candidate.
In May of 1955, he finished second in voting, four votes behind Frank Verano for Constable from
the Seventh Ward.
In April of 1957, he was the only candidate in the primary election that was to be held on May 21, 1957
for the Alderman position. A news article told readers he was a member of the Most Precious Blood Church
and a member of the Holy Name Society of the parish. He was also a member of the American
Federation of Musicians Local 139 in Hazleton. He won the election, received his certificate of election
and his commission as an alderman. His term began on January 6, 1958 and was to expire January 6, 1964.
He stayed active both in the community and as an entertainer almost to the end of his life. He was hospitalized
several times over the years based on news reports of hospital admissions.
He was a disabled
veteran, but he still managed to get around. He drove around town in converted jeeps. He would attend City Council and
other government meetings in a motorized wheelchair. Not much is known about the musicians that backed
him, but articles suggest his brother, James, would accompany him.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James. He passed away on August 30, 1969. Paul wrote a poem on behalf of himself
and his sister, Lucille "In Memoriam" to his brother:
Your gentle face and patient smile,
With sadness we recall,
The voice is mute, and stilled the heart,
That loved us well and true.
Oh bitter was the trial to part,
From one so good as you.
You are not forgotten loved one,
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by, we miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face,
No one can fill your vacant place.
(Rest in Peace)
His obituary mentions he was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans as well as a life
member of the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of the Hazleton Chapter of Pennsylvanians
for Human Life. He was a fourth-degree Knight in the Benedict XV Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.
He was an associate member of Power City Lodge 18, Fraternal Order of Police.
His funeral was held at the church he was a member of, Most Precious Blood Church of Hazleton and
was interred in the Most Precious Blood Cemetery.
Credits & Sources
- Cowboy Songs No. 23; November 1952; American Folk Publications; Derby, CT
- Communicated — A Local Veteran's Plea; March 21, 1953; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Carries Fight To Washington; September 2, 1953; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- To Have Audition; January 23, 1954; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- City Constable Contest Results; May 18, 1955; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Paul Albano To Run For Alderman; April 16, 1957; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Paul Albano Candidate For Office Of Alderman; April 17, 1957; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Paul Albano Wins 8-Year Fight With VA For Military Pension; Nancy Griesmer; April 17, 1957; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Albano Starts Term As City Alderman; January 6, 1958; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Albano Gets 100 Pct. Disablity Rating; May 14, 1958; The Plain Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- In Memoriam - James Albano; August 31, 1971; The Standard Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Obituary: 'Montana Paul' Albano singer, political activist; November 27, 1991; The Standard Speaker; Hazleton, PA
- Albano Funeral Today; November 30, 1991; The Standard Speaker; Hazleton, PA
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