Paul Godfrey entered military service in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1942 and saw action during World War II as an Enlisted Marine. He was commissioned in 1945 and subsequently retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General. Upon his retirement he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for services from June 1973 through June 1976 as Assistant Division Commander, FOURTH Marine Division, FMF, Pacific and as Deputy Director, Personnel Procurement, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps.