George Frederick Schaefer
Rank: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Serial: O-1310156
Unit: 103rd Infantry Regiment, 43rd (Winged Victory) Infantry Division
Entered service from: New Jersey
Died:
Burial: Berlin Cemetery, White Horse Pike, Berlin, NJ — Section 28, Lot 1, Grave 2, Trace 3
Awards: Silver Star
Introduction
First Lieutenant George Frederick Schaefer entered the U.S. Army on April 2, 1941. He served in the 103rd Regiment of the 43rd (Winged Victory) Division in New Guinea, New Georgia, and Luzon, Philippine Islands, where he was behind Japanese lines for five days. He was awarded a Citation on June 29, 1945, over the signature of Major General Leonard F. Wing, to the 103rd Regimental Combat Team for outstanding performance of duty against the enemy on Luzon, Philippine Islands, during the period May 1st through May 17th, 1945.
On October 5, 1946, the Silver Star medal was awarded posthumously to 1st Lt. George F. Schaefer, O-1310156, with the following citation:
For gallantry in action against the enemy at Hill 600, Luzon, Philippine Islands on 25 January 1945. Lt. Schaefer's platoon after seizing Hill 600, was digging in when they were suddenly subjected to heavy enemy fire from three machine guns. The thick undergrowth and rugged terrain made it difficult to locate the guns and almost impossible to knock them out. Five casualties were suffered almost immediately and Lt. Schaefer without regard for his personal safety, crawled from cover and dragged them to safer positions. He then crawled from man to man, checking each position and directing the most effective fire upon the enemy. Numerous casualties were suffered, but inspired by the indomitable courage and outstanding leadership of Lt. Schaefer the remaining men of the platoon held the Hill for a night and day, until relieved. Lt. Schaefer's gallant actions, supreme devotion to duty, and inspiring leadership made possible the capture and retention of the objective.
While on furlough from Fort Dix, NJ, prior to his discharge, he was killed in an accident in Berlin, NJ, on October 8, 1945. After funeral services at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion in Berlin, he was interred in Berlin Cemetery with military honors — an Army Chaplain, bugler, and firing squad from Fort Dix participating on October 11, 1945. George Frederick Schaefer was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Schaefer; his brother Arthur; and four sisters, Mrs. Rose Kramer, and the Misses Alice, Erma, and Doris Schafer.
Army Man Killed, Two Hurt In Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
ARMY MAN KILLED, TWO HURT IN CRASH
Lt. Geo. F. Schaefer, 30, of Berlin, Injured Fatally Near Home
A Berlin Army officer was killed and two Philadelphia men were injured last night in a head-on collision on the White Horse pike near Berlin.
In Glassboro, a man was jailed on a hit-run charge an hour after his alleged victim was found critically injured.
The officer, First Lt. George F. Schaefer, 30, of Pine avenue, was driving toward Berlin from Camden when the fatal crash occurred. He was dead on arrival at Cooper hospital. On a 15-day furlough from Ft. Dix, he had spent two of his three years' service in the Pacific.
Anthony Lorenzo, 30, of 646 Wharton street, Philadelphia, driver of the other car, and his brother-in-law, Michael Muero, 35, of 726 Wharton street, were admitted to the hospital, both suffering leg and chest injuries. They were driving toward Philadelphia at the time of the collision. All the victims were taken to the hospital by the Atco volunteer fire company ambulance driven by John G. Bryson, Jr., with Pfc. Harold P. Anning, just returned from a year overseas, as attendant.