Post by connie on Jan 30, 2012 3:37:33 GMT -5
Schanerberger, Elsworth H. Pfc. 331st D. Medic
I just happened on this professional bio written in 2004:
www.astm.org/SNEWS/JUNE_2004/people_jun04.html
I'll do a paste of the section pertaining to his time in the 106th:
Schanerberger was assigned to Company D of the 331st Medical Battalion attached to the army’s 106th Infantry Division. Schanerberger says his outfit was a combat medical clearing station, similar to the MASH outfit of TV fame, “but without the comedy.”
After landing in France, the 106th Infantry Division moved to St. Vith, Belgium, about three miles from the frontline. Two days later, the Battle of the Bulge began and would last from Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan. 28, 1945. During that time, two-thirds of the 106th Infantry Division and its support units were killed or captured. Company D had to split into two units to handle the wounded. Schanerberger’s unit, while constantly on the move to avoid capture, cared for an average of 275 patients a day.
The Battle of the Bulge experience that is closest to Schanerberger’s heart concerns a little girl and some baseball equipment. His outfit had stayed in a vacated boarding school to get some rest. On Christmas Day, the children returned, hearing that Schanerberger’s group wanted to have a party for them.
He and his buddies tried to think of Christmas presents they could give the girls. Finally, somebody remembered the baseball equipment stored in one of their trucks. The soldiers gave out the equipment and everybody had fun, until it was time to leave. As Schanerberger looked back, he could see the smallest girl, wearing the catcher’s mask he had given her, crying as she waved goodbye. He says he remembers thinking that this was why he was there — he still gets emotional when he talks about it.
For his participation in World War II, Schanerberger received several service awards, including the Bronze Star. He says he is very proud of these awards because he earned them by saving lives.
Additional Info from Indiana Military Site Roster:
listed in Combat Medical Awards: www.indianamilitary.org/106ID/Rosters/REFERENCES/1945-033-CIR-SS-BS-AM/33.htm
I just happened on this professional bio written in 2004:
www.astm.org/SNEWS/JUNE_2004/people_jun04.html
I'll do a paste of the section pertaining to his time in the 106th:
Schanerberger was assigned to Company D of the 331st Medical Battalion attached to the army’s 106th Infantry Division. Schanerberger says his outfit was a combat medical clearing station, similar to the MASH outfit of TV fame, “but without the comedy.”
After landing in France, the 106th Infantry Division moved to St. Vith, Belgium, about three miles from the frontline. Two days later, the Battle of the Bulge began and would last from Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan. 28, 1945. During that time, two-thirds of the 106th Infantry Division and its support units were killed or captured. Company D had to split into two units to handle the wounded. Schanerberger’s unit, while constantly on the move to avoid capture, cared for an average of 275 patients a day.
The Battle of the Bulge experience that is closest to Schanerberger’s heart concerns a little girl and some baseball equipment. His outfit had stayed in a vacated boarding school to get some rest. On Christmas Day, the children returned, hearing that Schanerberger’s group wanted to have a party for them.
He and his buddies tried to think of Christmas presents they could give the girls. Finally, somebody remembered the baseball equipment stored in one of their trucks. The soldiers gave out the equipment and everybody had fun, until it was time to leave. As Schanerberger looked back, he could see the smallest girl, wearing the catcher’s mask he had given her, crying as she waved goodbye. He says he remembers thinking that this was why he was there — he still gets emotional when he talks about it.
For his participation in World War II, Schanerberger received several service awards, including the Bronze Star. He says he is very proud of these awards because he earned them by saving lives.
Additional Info from Indiana Military Site Roster:
listed in Combat Medical Awards: www.indianamilitary.org/106ID/Rosters/REFERENCES/1945-033-CIR-SS-BS-AM/33.htm
