FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of the Heroes: Albert Earnest Schwab ~ March 31, 2008

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[StarCMC]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

PFC Albert Earnest Schwab
All info and photos from this website and this website.

           

Albert Schwab was just five days short of having one year in the Marine Corps the day he fearlessly walked into a blazing Japanese machine gun on Okinawa. He destroyed two guns that day and subsequently took his place on that highest pedestal the Marine Corps reserves for its Medal of Honor winners.

Albert Earnest Schwab was born July 17, 1920 in Washington, D.C., the son of George Albert Schwab and the late Mrs. Schwab. His father was born at Charleston, West Virginia, while his mother was a native of Minnesota.

The family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, early in Schwab's life, and he attended the local schools, graduating from Tulsa High School in 1937. After one semester at Tulsa University, the young athlete went to work for an oil company. Schwab was married on October 21, 1939 to the former Kathryn Ellen Schlosser of Tulsa. Their son, Steven Albert, was born September 1, 1942.

Inducted into the Marine Corps on May 12, 1944, Schwab was sent to boot camp in San Diego. His boot leave of ten days was the only time his family was to see him in the Marine uniform. After his furlough, the former oil worker went to the 2d Training Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California. In November, Private Schwab was transferred to the 13th Replacement Draft and on the twelfth of that month departed for overseas duty aboard the USS Wharton. He joined the 1st Marine Division at Pavuvu Island, in the Russells, and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. On December 24, Schwab was promoted to private first class and in February, he, along with the rest of the division, embarked for maneuvers which eventually led to an enemy landing on the shores of Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945.

Private First Class Schwab was a flame thrower operator with Headquarters Company. When that company was pinned down in a valley on May 7 by the withering fire of a machine gun coming from a ridge high to the company's front, the Oklahoman scaled the cliff in the face of the devastating fire and attacked the gun with his flame thrower. Quickly demolishing the position and its crew, his company was able to occupy the ridge. Suddenly a second machine gun opened fire inflicting more casualties on the unit. Although he had not had time to replenish his supply of fuel, PFC Schwab unhesitatingly advanced on the second gun and succeeded in eliminating it before its final burst caught him in the left hip, inflicting fatal wounds.

The Medal of Honor was presented to Private First Class Schwab's three-year-old son at Boulder Park in Tulsa on Memorial Day, 1946, by Rear Admiral J.J. Clark, USN, Commanding the Naval Air Basic Training Command, Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas.

PFC Schwab's body was returned to the United States and buried with full military honors at Memorial Park, Tulsa, February 27, 1949. On October 3, 1959, a Marine camp constructed on Okinawa was named Camp Schwab in honor of the heroic Marine.

 

MEDAL OF HONOR 
CITATIONPlace: Okinawa Shima Island, Ryuku Islands, Japan
Date: May 7, 1945
Rank and organization:
Private First Class,
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Entered service at:
Tulsa, OK
Birth: Washington, D.C.

---

            The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
ALBERT EARNEST SCHWAB

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

*SCHWAB, ALBERT EARNEST

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 17 July 1920, Washington, D.C.
Entered service at: Tulsa, Okla.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a flamethrower operator in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Rykuyu Islands, 7 May 1945.

Quick to take action when his company was pinned down in a valley and suffered resultant heavy casualties under blanketing machinegun fire emanating from a high ridge to the front, Pfc. Schwab, unable to flank the enemy emplacement because of steep cliffs on either side, advanced up the face of the ridge in bold defiance of the intense barrage and, skillfully directing the fire of his flamethrower, quickly demolished the hostile gun position, thereby enabling his company to occupy the ridge.

Suddenly a second enemy machinegun opened fire, killing and wounding several marines with its initial bursts. Estimating with split-second decision the tactical difficulties confronting his comrades, Pfc. Schwab elected to continue his l-man assault despite a diminished supply of fuel for his flamethrower. Cool and indomitable, he moved forward in the face of a direct concentration of hostile fire, relentlessly closed the enemy position and attacked.

 Although severely wounded by a final vicious blast from the enemy weapon, Pfc. Schwab had succeeded in destroying 2 highly strategic Japanese gun positions during a critical stage of the operation and, by his dauntless, single-handed efforts, had materially furthered the advance of his company.

His aggressive initiative, outstanding valor and professional skill throughout the bitter conflict sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...hope you had a good weekend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, AZ, for the red, white, and blue tribute.

[mylife]

Dunno why they were jamming.
But it is telling that they were.

[mylife]

BTW this jamming was during the weekend that the riots occurred in Lhasa Tibet

[mylife]

Heh..;)

[E.G.C.]

We had a rather active night of severe weather here in Oklahoma. The storms alarm went off numerous times.

There was some damage reported in the Edmond and north OKC area.

Right now Tornado Warnings are out for areas North of Tulsa.

More storms are in the forecast for later today.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Everyone. Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families. THANK YOU for all you do.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.

SALUTE - Albert Earnest Schwab

DC Metroland weather report

~ Today.....Cloudy with a few showers. High around 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

~ Tonight..... Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 52F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

As we begin the last day of March, I want to tell you that the month of April will be a very busy time. This is the month I prepare for a business trip out west. I'll have lots to do in preparation, so do not take it personally if I miss your ping. And, as always, if it's something you really want me to know, please FReepmail me.

Time for me to make my rounds. But, you stay right where you are. Don't touch that dial. Don't change that channel. Put down that remote. Don't leave the room. Keep your eyes on your monitor. Cause...............I'll be bock!

Now remember, the Canteen is

So, come on in and sit for a while. There's always plenty of coffee, pancakes, conversation, silliness, and plain old BS

I'm done.

REMEMBER THEM

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

And, now for a public service announcement

As always, the Canteen is open 24/7/365. We're here to entertain our troops, our allies, and their families. They may be having a rough day and need a break. We try to provide a place where they can come here and relax. Anyone who wishes to do the same is welcome to come in and join us.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning and (((HUGS))) EG. Not much happening at the moment. Just going over my calendar and work to see what needs to be done this week. Looks like we’re in for a rainy week here on east coast.

Whatz up out your way?

[E.G.C.]

Well, we had a late night of severe weather last night. Storm alarm went off numerous times. Tornado Warnings for OKC Metro. Some damage in the Edmond area.

More in the forecast for later today. Watching around Enid area right now more development in the next couple of hours.

[beachn4fun]

Well, that could explain why we’re going to have a wet few days.

It was pretty cold, here, yesterday. I don’t think we even got near 50.

[SandRat]

Go to work, it's Monday!

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen.
71º already and storms possible later.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, dear

((HUGS))

look at those temps. Even Ma is on a warming trend.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Everyone :)

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, GodBlessUSA. How’s it going?

[beachn4fun]

LOL

Yes, it’s Monday!

What are you doing here so early? I don’t see a 50 on the horizon.

(((HUGS)))

[beachn4fun]

Where is tanniker? Being a slacker this morning, I bet!

[Tanniker Smith]

Good morning, beachy!

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning beachy. (((HUGS))) to you too.

I have a few things to work on today.

Temps are looking like spring is here.