2nd Lt. Henry Schneider Jr. was born in Maywood, Illinois, on November 25, 1919, to Henry Schneider Sr. and Sophie Schander-Schneider and had three sisters and two brothers. His family resided at 317 South 24th Avenue, Bellwood, Illinois. He graduated from Saint John Lutheran School and attended Proviso Township High School, Maywood, Illinois, for two years. After leaving high school, he worked at Polar Sturges, Bellwood.
Henry registered with Selective Service on February 1, 1941, and named his father as his contact person. A little over two weeks later, on February 17th, he was drafted into the Army. Because of his score on the Army General Classification Test and that his civilian job skills, he was allowed to volunteer for the cavalry. The Army began to convert cavalry regiments to tanks. When he was home on a 10 day furlough in September 1941, he was a corporal and stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia, which was a major training base for tanks. At some point, he married, June Forsyth, and became the father of a son. His wife and son resided at 747 North Lavergne Avenue, Chicago, with her parents.
It is known that the 712th Tank Battalion which was activated on September 30, 1943, and was another converted cavalry regiment The soldiers were sent to Fort Benning for training in tanks. It appears that it was at that time that Henry joined the 712th. A large number of the members of the battalion for schooling as tank mechanics, radio men, and gunnery. At some point, the battalion was sent to Ft. Miles Standish, Massachusetts. On February 27, 1944, the battalion boarded the SS Exchequer and sailed the next morning for a convoy rendezvous. The ship arrived at Gouroch, Scotland, on March 8th. By train, the battalion was sent to Chiseldon, near Swindon, England. Once the unit was organized, training began in land mines, booby traps, aircraft recognition and identification, recognizing enemy clothing and equipment. The soldiers were also given passes to visit London.
The 712th did not take part in the D-Day Invasion and received orders for France on June 28th, but on June 17th, it moved to its port of embarkation, Weymouth, and sent to France and landed at Omaha Beach on the 28th. An eight hour trip that took two days. After arriving it was sent to Picauville, France, its assembly area. It went into action against the German’s on July 3, 1944, as part of the 82nd Air Borne Infantry Division, 3rd Army. During this time, Henry rose in rank to sergeant and then staff sergeant and became a tank platoon commander.
During his time in France, he met his brother, Fred, who was also in the 3rd Army. In a letter home he wrote, “I really had a surprise a few days ago, when I saw Fred’s outfit, and with a bit of inquiring found him digging his fox hole. When I said ‘Hello Fred!’ he didn’t recognize me, for I had a long beard and a dirty face. We certainly was glad to see each other, and spent an hour talking about our experiences.”
It is known that he fought in the following engagements: Close of Falaise Pocket, France, August 1944; a tank battle near Landres, France, September 8, 1944; Battle of Maizi-res-Les-Metz, France, October 1944; Metz Offensive, Germany, November 1944; During the battle of Le Bourg St. Leonard, France, he assumed command of his tank platoon when the platoon commander had been killed and the tanks were surrounded by the Germans who were demanding that the platoon surrender. Instead, the platoon fought until it was relieved. The 712th next took part in the Battle of the Bulge, when it was deployed to Rippweiler, Luxembourg, on January 7, 1945. On February 1, 1945, Harry received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant for his outstanding leadership and courage in combat. His new serial number was O2 006 500. He next took part in the elimination of German units west of Rhine River, March 1945.
What is known is that on March 20, 1945, 2nd Lt. Henry Schneider was killed in action when he received a penetrating bullet wound to his head from a German sniper. He was buried at the United States Military Cemetery #1, Stromberg, Germany. On April 2, 1945, his wife received a telegram from the War Department.
JUNE SCHNEIDER
747 NORTH LAVERGNE AVENUE
CHICAGO IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR SON SECOND LIEUTENANT HENRY SCHNEIDER WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON TWENTY MARCH IN GERMANY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
His parents held a memorial service for Henry on May 6, 1945, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bellwood.
After the war, the American Graves Registration Service had the job of recovering the dead from the various cemeteries in Europe. Henry’s remains were exhumed from the cemetery at Stromberg, Germany, casketed and buried at the US Military Cemetery St. Avold, France, in Plot HH, Row 11, Grave 263. June Schneider received a letter, dated October 6, 1946, telling her where Henry was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. She was informed that she would be receiving another letter about Henry’s final burial.
The next letter, dated October 15, 1947, arrived and provided her with her options for Henry’s final burial. His wife sent the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, a copy of her marriage certificate, since she had remarried on February 15, 1947. After some problems were dealt with Henry’s father became his next of kin, but he gave the authority to his wife. Henry’s mother received the same letter that provided her with information on her options for his son’s final burial. He was asked to complete an enclosed form and return it to the OQMG. The form was received, on January 23, 1948, and indicated that Henry should be buried at an American Military Cemetery overseas.
Henry’s casket was exhumed and he was buried in a new grave. His mother received the flag that covered his casket and a letter confirmation letter.
2nd Lt. Henry Schneider, ASN O2 006 500
Plot GE, Row 10, Grave 26
Headstone: Cross
St. Avold (France) U. S. Military Cemetery
Mrs. Sophie Schneider
317 – 26th Avenue
Bellwood, Illinois
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved ones have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will also have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington 25, D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of the cemetery.
While interment and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. You may rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
H. FELDMAN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
