Relatives of S. Sgt. Elmer Schultz received word from the War Department on October 14 that he had been wounded in action September 25 in Germany. On September 30 a letter was received by his mother, Mrs. Anna Schultz and other relatives here in which Sgt. Schultz stated that he was in a hospital somewhere in France. He did not reveal the extent of his injuries but said not to worry, that he was all right.This is the second time that he has been wounded. After being in the North African invasion he was transferred to England and took part in the invasion of Normandy, France. It was here that he was wounded in June 15. However, he soon recovered from his wounds and was returned to duty on July 21.
Sgt. Schultz has been in four major campaigns and has the Combat Infantry Medal. He was among the Yanks who pushed their way through Belgium into Germany. He says the Belgians were really glad to see the Americans and brought them sandwiches, drinks and everything they could find.
Sgt., Schultz has been in the army since his induction July 8, 1941.
On March 1, S. Sgt. Elmer Schultz, son of Mrs. Anna Schultz of Protection, set foot on United States soil for the first time in 28 1/2 months. He arrived in this country March 25 on a 30 day convalescent furlough from Beaumont General Hospital at El Paso, Texas. He says that it will take him quite awhile to get caught up with his visiting, for, believe it or not , he has 16 brothers and sisters and a 12 year old son, Ralph, and all want him to explain what all the "hardware" he wears on his blouse means.But, seriously, he has earned all his decorations the hard way. He wears the Infantry Combat Medal, the Good Conduct ribbon, the Pre-Pearl Harbor and European-African ribbons with Bronze and Silver Stars denoting six major campaigns, beside the Purple Heart ribbon, with two Oak Leaf Clusters for the second and third wounds.
He likely has seen more front line service in the European theater than any other Comanche county soldier. He was in the invasion of North Africa, in the French Morocco and Tunisian campaigns, the Sicilian campaign and three more campaigns designated as follows: D Day to July 25, July 26 to September 15 and from September on.
Sgt. Schultz was first wounded in Cherbourg, France, and the next two times in Germany. Once he was sent to the hospital by a shrapnel wound in one ear, another time by shrapnel in one thigh, but the worst wound on September 15, 1944, was when shrapnel whizzed through one shoulder, tearing up a shoulder blade. He was wounded in five places on his body the last time. Elmer was flown to Paris, from Paris to Scotland, and made the trip back to the States from England in a C-47 hospital plane. From New York he was flown to El Paso " a quick trip home," he remarked. "A companion on the way back across the Atlantic, had both his feet shot off, but he didn't complain," Sgt. Schultz relates, "Because he said he was sure then, that he wouldn't have to go back into the terrible battles." And, "don't let anybody try to tell you that the German S. S. troops are not tough fighters," Elmer states empathetically.
He was with the First Army when Ernie Pyle was with it and has talked with him several times. Pyle is highly thought of by the infantrymen, the GI dog face whom Ernie almost worships.
Sgt. Schultz enlisted in the Army July 7, 1941, and left the States for overseas in October, 1942.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news articles to this web site!
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