Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schwartz,
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 2/17/2016
Bio: Schwartz, Victor (Legion Recognition - 2016)
American Legion Recognizes Schwartz for Military Service
Victor Schwartz served in the U. S. Army from 1943 to 1945. He has been a member of the American legion for 59 years and a member of Post 73 in Neillsville since 1973. (Contributed Photos)
By Todd Schmidt
Neillsville American Legion Post 73 is recognizing former Neillsville resident Victor Schwartz, now living in Monroe, for his military service.
Schwartz grew up on a large dairy farm in southeastern Wisconsin. H graduated from East Troy High School in 1940 and then attended Marquette University until his call into the U. S. Army in March of 1943.
Schwartz took basic training in the infantry at Ft. Jackson, SC, in the newly activated 106th Infantry Division. He also took secondary training there in an I & R Section of the 1st Battalion Headquarters Company of the 424th Infantry Regiment.
His unit was sent overseas in October 1943 as a replacement, first to Casablanca, Africa, and then on to Spanish Morocco, French Morocco and Oran.
Schwartz was then assigned as a rifleman in Company C of the 1st Armored Division, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment stationed in Naples, Italy. The Division landed in Anzio Jan. 22, 1944, to attack the flank of the German forces and cut their supply line to the south.
The plan turned out to be a disaster. German reserve forces were brought in, bogging down the Allied forces for four months. Every area of the beachhead was in range of the German artillery.
By May 22, the Allies had amassed approximately 150,000 troops in the area in an effort to break the German line and move toward Rome. The combat resulted in 30,000 casualties.
Allied forces took Rome June 4. They received news June 6 that the Allied forces had landed on Normandy Beach in France.
Schwartz was transferred to the 6th Armored Infantry Battalion Headquarters. The unit crossed the Arno River in late September. The troops struggled north into the Apennine Mountains, where they met severe German resistance and the beginning of the winter season.
The advance halted until spring, when Allied armored vehicles could travel again. The Allies crossed the Po River in early May. Once on the flat plains of the Po Valley, the Germans could not stop the Allies speedy advance. The Germans in Italy surrendered June 6.
Returning home after WWII, Schwartz’s career path went in several directions. He worked for 17 years as a test engineer for Allis-Chalmers of West Allis. He moved on to the sales department at Nelson Industries in Stoughton.
Three years later, Schwartz was sent to Neillsville to manage the Nelson Muffle Plant. He served in that capacity for 15 years, retiring in 1988.
Schwartz and his wife, Joyce, lived in Neillsville for 25 years. They had five daughters, who all married.
He and Joyce moved to Monroe in 1997 to be closer to some of their children. Sadly, Joyce passed away in 2012. He now has 10 grandchildren.
Schwartz has been a member of the American Legion for 59 years and a member of Post 73 in Neillsville since 1973.
“Post 73 has a wonderful group of veterans,” Schwartz said. “We still call Neillsville our home town. We made many friends there. All of the employees of Nelson gave me a great support as plant manager.”
“I am proud of my service in the Army and am thankful for the recognition offered by Post 73.”
