Duane Richard Schroeder

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Navy

Duane Richard Schroeder (Doc) entered active duty in the Navy on January 20, 1943. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.

He served as a Pharmacist Mate Second Class assigned to the Third Marine Division in the South Pacific.

He shared the following: "I joined the Navy to stay out of foxholes; but they assigned me to the Marine Corps. I headed for the South Pacific with the Third Marine Corps (Division). We were called Doc, Corpsman, and Medics.

We wore red crosses on our arms and helmets. When someone was wounded they called 'Corpsman' and we came to their aid. Japanese snipers used the red crosses for target practice. We had to trade our red crosses in for rifles-O3s, M1s, B.A.R.'s and carbines."

"The first night on Guam...I was so tired I could not sleep. Finally I dozed off only to be awakened by a figure straddling my foxhole with a raised Samurai sword--someone above said 'NO!'. He lowered his sword and slowly disappeared over the hill. Day one was over."

Mr. Schroeder was honorably discharged on October 28, 1945.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 284.