Paul Michael Menges

Paul Michael Menges, 63 of Columbia, SC, died Saturday December 17, 2011 at Palmetto Health Richland following a long battle with cancer.

Paul was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on December 7th, 1948.  He grew up in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was employed for many years.  After graduation from Cristobal High School in the Canal Zone in 1967, Paul attended Colorado State University before joining the U.S. Army in mid-1969.  While serving on active duty and later, as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, he completed a bachelor's degree in Business Management and a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology. Mr. Menges was a member of Transfiguration Catholic Church and man of faith. 

After completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, in 1969, he later graduated from a Military Intelligence Course at Fort Holabird, MD.  His entry into the field of Military Intelligence in 1970 was to become a lifelong career and passion.  After receiving his Badge and Credentials as a Counterintelligence Special Agent in 1973, he served our government and the Department of Defense in a variety of positions, both here and abroad.  He completed German Language training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, and served two tours of duty in Counterintelligence assignments in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s.   

During his assignments with the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and later, the Defense Intelligence Agency, he became recognized as a national expert in Counterintelligence  and Credibility Assessment.  He completed polygraph instruction in 1986 and after many years of working in the Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence field as a polygraph examiner, he joined the staff of The Defense Polygraph Institute, at Fort Jackson, SC.  He was a key player in the development specific areas within the field of Credibility Assessment and played a vital role in the development of the Polygraph Institute into what is today the National Center for Credibility Assessment at Fort Jackson, SC.  The Center is recognized around the world as the leading center for credibility assessment and he was routinely sought out as a guest speaker, instructor  and advisor by U.S. national intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign governments.  

Paul retired from government service in 2009 and remained in Columbia, SC, with his wife of 41 years.  Paul married, Stephanie, his childhood sweetheart in June of 1970.  They met while in high school in the Panama Canal Zone and spent a lifetime together.  She was the love of his life.  Paul was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Consuelo (Robles) Menges.  He is survived by Stephanie, their daughter Jennifer Angelucci and son-in-law Tom, of Delran, NJ, and son, Paul, his wife Stacy, and granddaughter, Alivia, of Glen Burnie, MD, his sister, Evelyn Sellers of Okatie, SC, his brother Robert (Bob) Menges of Summerville, SC, and his sister, Judy Sigmon of Newport News, VA.

A private family graveside service will be held Wednesday December 21, 2011 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210. Kornegay & Moseley Funeral Home & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

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