George F. Schafer, Jr.

PRIVATE GEORGE F. SCHAFER was born in 1920 in New Jersey to George and Maggie Schafer, of 831 Spruce Street in Camden NJ. His father had worked as a shipping clerk for an oil cloth manufacturer in Camden. By 1930, the family lived at 629 Line Street, Camden NJ. At that time the family also included sisters Thelma and Ethel. George Schafer Sr. listed his occupation as engineer in construction at that time. By the the war years, the Schafer family had moved to 912 Newton Avenue in Camden NJ. George Jr. had married before going into the service, and with his wife Almira, had a daughter. He worked for the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden.

Inducted to the Army in February of 1943, George Schafer Jr. was receiving training at Fort Jackson SC in April of 1943. He later was attached to the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. The Division fought in the Italian Campaign as part of the 5th United States Army in such notable actions as Mt. Lungo, San Pietro and the Rapido River.

Private George Schafer was killed in action along the Rapido River, near Monte Cassino. Italy.  In the Rapido River action, the Division lost the better part of two of its three regiments, 141st and 143rd, in unsuccessful attempts to cross the river.

Private Schafer was survived by his wife and daughter, of 630 Line Street, Camden NJ, and his parents, of the Newton Avenue address. His death was reported in the evening edition of the March 16, 1944 Camden Courier-Post.

Camden
Courier-Post

April 22, 1944