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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of the Heroes: Albert Earnest Schwab ~ March 31, 2008
Linked in thread | Pigpen

Posted on 03/30/2008 5:11:34 PM PDT by 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.

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

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 
CITATION
Place: 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!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; freepercanteen; halloftheheroes; medalofhonor; troopsupport
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To: txradioguy
LOL! Whaddya mean? They are named the Cardinals and we know God loves them!!


521 posted on 03/31/2008 12:05:15 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)
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To: beachn4fun
Happy 3rd Birthday, Kylie!!


Click

522 posted on 03/31/2008 12:09:55 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

LOL.Bummer...I had a long critter visit last night. Lots of lounging and grooming going on on the patio..I believe it was my favorite and another female..It took several trips to feed the hungry pair. They had the cutes big time. No limping this time.


523 posted on 03/31/2008 12:10:00 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: beachn4fun

Hang in there Kylie Rose....
....you're growing as fast as you can!
Happy 3rd Birthday!

524 posted on 03/31/2008 12:10:29 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: NRA1995

It’s just Texas spring weather..LOL We now have a tornado watch on til 9pm. That is also typical spring weather here.


525 posted on 03/31/2008 12:13:03 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: beachn4fun; AZamericonnie
I wondered when that “instigator” would get her comeuppance! LOL!

Ponies indeed!

526 posted on 03/31/2008 12:13:12 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: MEG33

If it’s above 70 in the Baltimore/DC area it’s called global warming


527 posted on 03/31/2008 12:14:31 PM PDT by NRA1995 (Bill Clinton: HILLARY!'s other big ass)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Good afternoon, Arrowhead...breakfast was yummy. “They” said possible snow, but it is way too warm. Melting continues.


528 posted on 03/31/2008 12:15:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: GodBlessUSA
Good afternoon, GB and welcome home from school, Booboo.


529 posted on 03/31/2008 12:19:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: trussell

I really HATE winter. This one has been hanging on for too darn long.


530 posted on 03/31/2008 12:19:26 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)
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To: StarCMC

“God loves them!!”

Except in 1985 right? LOL!


531 posted on 03/31/2008 12:19:33 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Engineer Bn. K.I.A. 25 Apr. 2005)
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To: txradioguy

Eh — He can’t APPEAR to play favorites, but we know who’s side He’s on. :-D


532 posted on 03/31/2008 12:21:59 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)
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To: StarCMC; tomkow6
"Eh — He can’t APPEAR to play favorites, but we know who’s side He’s on. :-D" Yes we certainly do: :D
533 posted on 03/31/2008 12:26:41 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Engineer Bn. K.I.A. 25 Apr. 2005)
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To: LUV W; beachn4fun

Hi Luvie......I guess Pipers only a couple of years or so away from her pony? *grin*


534 posted on 03/31/2008 12:35:14 PM PDT by AZamericonnie
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To: AZamericonnie

Hey, Connie!

BRAT! LOL!

Don’t even go there with her. Hard to lug a pony around
from base to base, doncha know! :D


535 posted on 03/31/2008 12:36:19 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: trussell; EGPWS

I just saw some of your new snow on my Weatherbug. Happy
snowball fights.

I think I’ll just enjoy the new leaves on the trees and the
buds that are about to bloom on my rose bushes....and my
irieses that already have bloomed! LOL!

Sorry, MN BRAT! Maybe next month for you to have spring. :D


536 posted on 03/31/2008 12:42:11 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: StarCMC; EGPWS

It is a little crazy when it’s April and still snowing

It’s such a hassle to drive freeways in the snow...people drive stupid. They go 5 miles an hour...takes hours to get home when it usually takes 30 minutes.

I can see why EGPWS dislikes it so much...he drives much further than I do, so it really impacts the time it takes him to get to work or get home.

What gets me is seeing people texting in rush hour traffic...or reading...or digging in their floorboard! IDIOTS


537 posted on 03/31/2008 12:44:35 PM PDT by trussell (I carry because...When seconds count between life and death, the police are only minutes away)
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To: LUV W; EGPWS

You KNOW he is going to grumble at you for rubbing it in!

He was so pleased seeing bare ground yesterday...now it’s going to be white again!


538 posted on 03/31/2008 12:46:56 PM PDT by trussell (I carry because...When seconds count between life and death, the police are only minutes away)
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To: MeekMom

Yes, God rest his sweet soul!

Now he can come home at last.


539 posted on 03/31/2008 12:47:36 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: MEG33

What a show you got...and no limping either. A testament to their “provider”. d:o)


540 posted on 03/31/2008 12:59:01 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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