Karp (1920-2003) was born and raised in Madison (Wisconsin) and is an alumnus of Central High School and the University of Wisconsin. In October 1941, Karp was drafted into the Army. He became a paratrooper with the 8th Infantry, 4th Division and landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day. Karp was injured by shrapnel in 1944 and had to leave the front. After World War II, Karp earned a B.A. in guidance counseling and an M.A. in special education from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the 84th Airborne Reserves in Madison, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Karp had a long career as the director of a youth center called "The Loft" and as a Special Education teacher at Madison East High School. Karp was a lifetime member of the Purple Heart and marshaled Madison's Memorial Day Military Parade for eleven years.
From the description of Oral history interview with Erin Karp, [sound recording], 1995. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 539213478
