Oral history interview with Roy W. Schauder [sound recording], 2006.

ArchivalResource

Schauder, Roy W., 1920- ,. Oral history interview with Roy W. Schauder [sound recording], 2006.

Oral history interview with Roy W. Schauder [sound recording], 2006.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/84904907

Schauder, born in Clintonville (Wisconsin), joined the 135th Medical Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard for a couple of years after his family moved to Marshfield (Wisconsin). He was drafted in 1943, mobilized at Ft. Sheridan (Illinois) after which he attended basic training and officer candidate school at the Medical Replacement Training Center at Camp Robinson (Arkansas), medical officer candidate school at Camp Barkley (Texas) and finally an eight-week crash course to become assistant battalion surgeon, which had previously been a Dental Corps officer position. Schauder joined the 2nd Battalion, 385th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Division (Patton's Third Army) at the end of the Normandy campaign. He describes his admiration for the men in the battalion, the "doughboys" who endured privations and trench foot. When a guy would come back from the frontline with battle fatigue, Schauder mentions the aid station would fix them a highball (GI alcohol and synthetic powdered lemon juice) which would loosen them up. Schauder details the medical personnel structure within an infantry battalion and describes their jobs. He reflects on his respect for "Doc," the private first-class medics on the line with the "doughboys." As the battalion continued beyond Bastogne, Schauder describes in detail the effect that a German artillery barrage had on a barn where a squad was laying low and his reaction to the scene. Schauder details his respect for Chaplain Stoller and several heroic acts he performed. He speaks of the 90th Division's involvement in taking Fort Koenigsmacher, across the Moselle River on the German side, and the 200 casualties they sustained. Schauder mentions his belief that because the Germans destroyed the dam and flooded the river, the unit didn't set off land mines on the river's bank while crossing. He describes how he learned about the Armistice signing by coming down into Pilsen (Czecholsovakia) from a hill and seeing German and American troops entering from both sides. Schauder describes the anti-climatic reaction by most men, how he got a shave and haircut and his thoughts of Pilsner beer. Because he had enough points, Schauder was transferred to the 99th Division (return-home division) where he was mess officer and worked with the medics to trace down venereal disease contacts. He describes his efforts to reconnect with members of his WWII unit. Schauder has been a member of the VFW for 50 years (had no reason to use GI Bill) and mentions his reactions when he traveled, by rental car, the same route in Europe his unit did during the war.

Transcript : 24 p.Sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 75 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 75 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center