George F. Schafer Jr.
Private First Class George F. Schafer Jr., Company K, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Private First Class George F. Schafer Jr. was born in 1920 in New Jersey to George and Maggie Schafer, of 831 Spruce Street in Camden, NJ. His father had worked as a shipping clerk for an oil cloth manufacturer in Camden. By 1930, the family lived at 629 Line Street, Camden, NJ, and the family also included sisters Thelma and Ethel. George Schafer Sr. listed his occupation as engineer in construction at that time. By the war years, the Schafer family had moved to 912 Newton Avenue in Camden, NJ. George Jr. had married before going into the service, and with his wife Almira, had a daughter. He worked for the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden.
Inducted into the Army in February of 1943, George Schafer Jr. was receiving training at Fort Jackson, SC, in April of 1943. He later was attached to the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. The Division fought in the Italian Campaign as part of the 5th United States Army in such notable actions as Mt. Lungo, San Pietro, and the Rapido River.
Private First Class George Schafer was killed in action along the Rapido River, near Monte Cassino, Italy, on January 23, 1944. In the Rapido River action, the Division lost the better part of two of its three regiments, the 141st and 143rd, in unsuccessful attempts to cross the river. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Private Schafer was survived by his wife and daughter, of 630 Line Street, Camden, NJ, and his parents, of the Newton Avenue address. His death was reported in the evening edition of the March 16, 1944 Camden Courier-Post. He is buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, at Plot J, Row 11, Grave 47.
Widow Will Get Soldier's Medal
Camden Courier-Post —
Pfc. George F. Schafer, Jr., of 912 Newton avenue, who was killed in action on the Fifth Army front in Italy, has been awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in action, the War Department announced today. The medal will be sent to his widow, Almira.
Private Schafer was a member of a 36th (Texas) Division infantry company ordered to cross the Rapido river and attack. As the attack began the Germans sent over a terrific artillery, mortar and machine-gun barrage which continued throughout the operation.
Displaying outstanding courage and evidencing complete disregard for his own safety, Private Schafer crossed the river. As he moved toward his objective, in the face of this overwhelming fire, he was killed by enemy shells.
The citation stated: “His magnificent courage and devotion to duty in the face of vastly superior odds served as an outstanding example and an inspiration to all who witnessed the action. His courage reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of America.”