Corporal Paolucci was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on 17 June 1952.

Paolucci was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.