PVT Herbert M. Schroeder
Private (PVT) Herbert Martin Schroeder of Dog Battery, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Monroe County, Wisconsin, to Hubert Nicolaus Franz “Frank” and Katherine (Rademacher) Schroeder on January 12, 1919. Herbert had four brothers, Alfred T., Raymond P., Alphonse F., and Joseph J. Schroeder, and three sisters, Julia K. (Brandt), Eleonara M. (DuCharme), and Josephine (Perso) Schroeder.
His brother Raymond also served during WWII, and was stationed in Fort Revere, Massachusetts, and at Camp Hood, Texas, with Battery C of the 549th Field Artillery Battalion.
Herbert attended Cashton High School and worked as a cook at Collins Grill in Kenosha before entering the service.
Source: EBay.com
Herbert enlisted in the U.S. Army in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 17, 1940. He was initially assigned to Battery F of the 26th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but was transferred to Battery C of the 60th Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) two weeks later, when the 60th FAB was activated at Fort Bragg on October 1, 1940.
Herbert eventually earned the rank of staff sergeant and served as a mess sergeant, but he gave up his rating to enter the paratroops. He was sent from Fort Bragg to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he received his paratrooper training. In August 1942, he was with the Headquarters and Headquarters & Service Battery of the 377th PFAB, but was transferred to Dog Battery on December 7, 1942. Before going overseas in September 1943, he participated in maneuvers held at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana.
PVT Schroeder jumped into Normandy with the 377th PFAB on D-Day. Of all the units dropped in the early morning hours of June 6, the 377th experienced the worst misdrops, according to research by 101st Airborne Division historian Mark Bando. PVT Schroeder’s family first received a telegram stating that he was missing in action since June 6, but the following day, they received another telegram correcting the first. Their son and brother were killed in action in France on June 7.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Source: Find a Grave (c/o Cindy Pennel-Paulson)
PVT Herbert Schroeder died at the age of 25 in Normandy, France. On July 17, 1944, he was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Blosville at Plot S, Row 2, Grave 32. He was disinterred on December 5, 1947, and moved by truck to Cherbourg, where his casket was placed on the USAT Lawrence Victory on September 25, 1948. After he arrived in New York Harbor, he was transported by train to Cashton, Wisconsin, arriving on November 5, 1948. PVT Schroeder rests eternally at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery of Cashton. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.
May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Herbert.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Sources:
Family Search
NARA