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Dale E. Schilling (1924-1945)

Home...BiographiesDale E. Schilling (1924-1945)

Dale E. Schilling (1924-1945)

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    LHS freshman class, 1941
This February 4, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column !:

    VISITS PARENTS AND SISTERS

    Sergt. Dale Schilling, stationed with the air corps at Topeka, Kans., was last week with his parents, the George Schillings, and his sisters.
This January 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

    DALE SCHILLING WINS FOUR MEDALS FOR RECENT DEEDS

    Flying Fortress Gunner Received Awards for His Part in Action In Air War Over Germany

    In a recent letter to his parents, the George Schillings of Lowell, Sgt. Dale Schilling reveals that he now has four medals, including the Purple Heart, as his reward for the part he has played in the non-stop bombing of Germany by the U.S. and British air forces.
    Sgt. Schilling, a gunner on a Flying Fortress, writes:
      "I have been awarded the Air Medal with the Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf cluster, the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf cluster, and I also hold one of the English medals, which is almost the same as our D.F.C.
      "The Oak Leaf clusters are given to wear on the medal when the award is given out more than once, such as the Air Medal with the O.L.C.
      "The Purple Heart is given when one is wounded in the line of duty against the enemy. I've only been hit twice--which is lucky.
      "It is too bad you didn't get anything when you went hunting this year, and that shells are so hard to get. I get all I need and sometimes use two or three thousand a day.

            You son,
                Dale"
This March 16, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:

    LOCAL BOY LOST IN ACTION OVER GERMAN TERRITORY

    SGT. DALE SCHILLING ONE OF CREW IN PLANE WHICH FAILED TO COME BACK

    A message from the War Department Tuesday informed Mr. and Mrs. George Schilling that their son, Sgt. Dale Schilling was missing in action over Germany since February 25th. No further information was given but it was supposed that he was with his crew in a Flying Fortress while over Germany.
    Sgt. Schilling, a gunner on the Flying Fortress, had been on several previous missions over German territory. He enlisted in the air corps about two years ago and took his training at several different fields in this country. He was sent overseas about six months ago, and since arriving in England, had been over Germany several times.
    Further word is anxiously awaited with the hope that Dale and his companions are safe.
    Last January it was revealed in letters to his parents that he had received four medals, the Air Medal with the Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguised Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and an English medal, the equivalent of our D.F.C., as his reward for the part he played in the non-stop bombing of Germany by U.S. and British air forces.
This May 25, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:

    Parents Receive More Information

    A letter received by the George Schillings from the regiment Major gives a little more information concerning their son, Sgt. Dale Schilling, who has been missing in action over France since February 25. The letter follows:

      Dear Mrs. Schilling:

      Further information has been received indicating that Sgt.Schilling was a crew member of a B-17 (Flying Fortress), which departed from England on a bombardment mission to Augsburg, Germany, on February 25th. Details are not all available, the report stating that after having difficulty in remaining with the flight, your son's bomber was seen to leave the formation near the French-German border.

      The report further states that this occurred at about 3:30 p.m. and that at this time his craft appeared to be under control. The crew members of other planes were unable to make further observation of you son's Fortress, therefore there is no other information available at this time.

      Very sincerely,
      E. A. Braduanas
      Major, A.G. D.

This Lowell Tribune article was found in the April 26, 1945, issue (page 1, column 4):

    Presentation to be Made To Mrs. George Schilling

    An officer from Benedict airfield, South Bend, will be present at the Legion building, Friday, May 4th, at 8 p.m. to present Mrs. George Schilling the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, posthumously awarded to her son, Sgt. Dale Schilling, a bomber gunner, who has been missing in action over Germany for over a year.
    All mothers of World War II, and families, discharged veterans and veterans home on furlough, officers of the American Legion and Auxiliary, pastors of all local churches and their wives, are invited to attend.
The following May 3, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 3:

    Air Medal to be Given to Missing Airman's Mother

    Friday night, May 4th, at the Legion building, Mrs. George Schilling will be presented with two Oak Leaf Clusters, which has been awarded to her son, Sgt. Dale Schilling, who has been missing in action over Germany for over a year. This is not a posthumous award, as stated last week, but is given to all air corpsmen who have been missing in action more than a year.
    All mothers of World War II, and families, discharged veterans, and veterans home on furlough, officers of the American Legion and Auxiliary, pastors of all local churchers and their wives, are invited to attend.
This May 10, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

    PRESENTED AIR MEDAL AND OAK LEAF CLUSTER IN SERVICES AT LEGION HALL

    Mrs. George Schilling Given Honors for Her Son, Sgt. Dale Schilling, Missing in Action

    In honor of Sgt. Dale Schilling, who has been missing in action over Germany for more than a year, his mother, Mrs. George Schilling, was presented with the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster last Friday night.
    The meeting was called by Mrs. Hazel Hoffman, president of World War II mothers at 8 p.m. at the Legion building, and invocation was given by Rev. Edward M. Boney, pastor of St. Edwards church. The colors were then presented by members of the Legion and World War II mothers.
    Rev. Boney gave a most inspiring talk and six service men and one cadet nurse who were home on furlough were introduced to the large audience. Mrs. Hoffman then introduced Lt. Dicks of Benedict air field, South Bend, who, after a short talk, presented Mrs. Schilling with the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster for her son.
    The meeting was adjourned following singing of the national anthem and pronouncing of benediction by Rev. H.M. Braun, pastor of the First Methodist church.
    Members of World War II Mothers will hold a prayer service at their next regular meeting, May 18. All mothers, whether members of the club or not, are urged to attend the meeting.
The following February 16, 1950, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, columns 5-6:

    REMAINS OF SGT. DALE E. SCHILLING, SHOT DOWN DURING WAR, FOUND RECENTLY

    Mr. and Mrs. George Schilling have received information from the War Department concerning his son, Sgt. Dale E. Schilling, who was lost in an air raid over the Swiss border in Germany in 1945. Dale, 21 years of age, had one more mission to make before fulfilling his front line duty and was not scheduled to participate in the raid which proved his last. He was a volunteer substitute.

    Dale's charred remains, along with these of three comrades, have been found and temporary burial has been made in the U.S. Military cemetery at St. Avoid, France.

    The remains will be returned to the United States in the very near future and with military services, the comrades will be laid to rest in Arlington National Military Cemetery at Fort Myer, Va.

    Dale was a graduate of Lowell high school and a member of the Trinity Lutheran church. In June of 1945 he was awarded a Purple Heart and Presidential citation.

The following May 18, 1950, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 6:
    On Tuesday Mr. and Mrs. George Shilling received a telegram from the U.S. Government informing them that the remains of their son, Dale, are enroute home from St. Avold, France. Military burial will be in the Arlington cemetery at Fort Meyer, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Schilling and daughter, Miss Justina and Mrs. Doris Carlson will attend the memorial services.
This June 8, 1950, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 3:

    To Attend Re-Burial Services for Son

    Mr. and Mrs. George Schilling and family will travel to Fort Myer, Virginia, the last week in June to be present at the reburial services for their son, Dale. Interment, with military and religious rites, will be in Arlington Military Cemetery on June 29th at 2 o'clock Eastern DST.

    In February of 1945 Dale was lost in an air raid over the Swiss border in Germany. In June of the same year he was awarded a Purple Heart and presidential citation.

    Friends may send flowers in the name of the deceased to Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Va.

This July 6, 1950, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 2:

    Attend Reburial of Son At Arlington Cemetery

    Mr. and Mrs. George Schilling, accompanied by the former's daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carlson of Kankakee, Ill., traveled to Fort Myer, Virginia, where they were joined on June 29th by Mr. Schilling's brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Schilling of Kankakee, to be present at the military and religious rites for Dale E. Schilling, son of George Schilling, who in February of 1945, was lost in an air raid over the Swiss border in Germany.

    Dale, who was awarded a Purple Heart and Presidential Citation was laid to rest in Arlington National cemetery at 2:00 Eastern DST.

    The Schilling family extend thanks to the Lowell Legion Post 101, the Methodist church and Hardings, Inc., for the beautiful floral pieces which they sent to Arlington.

    Enroute to Arlington, the Schillings and Carlsons were overnight guests of Mrs. Schilling's uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kallgren in Akron, Ohio. After the services, they visited Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, Windsor, Canada, Detroit and Toledo. Their arrival home on Monday concluded a 2,000 mile trip.

Last updated on June 30, 2009.

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