Donald K. Schwab-Hooper NE
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Don.Morfe
N 41° 36.210 W 096° 32.550
14T E 704790 N 4608671
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Lure, France on September 17, 1944. He is buried in Hooper Cemetery, Hooper, NE in Section 7, Lot 4, Grave 3.
Waymark Code: WMX818
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 12/10/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
Views: 0

He was born on December 6, 1918 in Hooper NE and died on February 19, 2005 in Hooper NE. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *SCHWAB, DONALD K.

• Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
• Place and date: September 17, 1944, Lure, France
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Commander of Company E, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy near Lure, France on September 17, 1944. That afternoon, as First Lieutenant Schwab led his company across four hundred yards of exposed ground, an intense, grazing burst of machinegun and machine-pistol fire sprung forth without warning from a fringe of woods directly in front of the American force. First Lieutenant Schwab quickly extricated his men from the attempted ambush and led them back to a defiladed position. Soon after, he was ordered to overwhelm the enemy line. He rapidly organized his men into a skirmish line and, with indomitable courage, again led them forward into the lethal enemy fire. When halted a second time, First Lieutenant Schwab moved from man to man to supervise collection of the wounded and organize his company’s withdrawal. From defilade, he rallied his decimated force for a third charge on the hostile strong point and successfully worked his way to within fifty yards of the Germans before ordering his men to hit the dirt. While automatic weapons fire blazed around him, he rushed forward alone, firing his carbine at the German foxholes, aiming for the vital enemy machine-pistol nest which had sparked the German resistance and caused heavy casualties among his men. Silhouetted through the mist and rain by enemy flares, he charged to the German emplacement, ripped the half-cover off the hostile firing pit, struck the German gunner on the head with his carbine butt and dragged the German back through a hail of fire to friendly lines. First Lieutenant Schwab’s action so disorganized hostile infantry resistance that the enemy forces withdrew, abandoning their formidable defensive line. First Lieutenant Schwab’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Armed Service: Army

Visit Instructions:
To properly log your find, post a photograph of the medal recipient's grave marker. Do not place anything on the grave when taking the photo. If you have more information about the recipient please include it in your log.

Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Medal Of Honor Resting Places
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Don.Morfe visited Donald K. Schwab-Hooper NE 12/19/2021 Don.Morfe visited it