Medal of Honor: Albert Earnest Schwab - World War II - May 7, 1945

Name: Albert Earnest Schwab
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
War: World War II
Unit: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Date of Action: May 7, 1945
Location: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands

Summary of Action

On 7 May 1945, during the brutal fighting on Okinawa, Private First Class Albert Earnest Schwab distinguished himself while serving as a flamethrower operator against heavily fortified Japanese defenses.

His company had become trapped in a valley under devastating machine-gun fire coming from a ridge above them.

The terrain offered almost no escape.

Steep cliffs on both sides prevented any flanking maneuver, and Marines caught in the open were suffering heavy casualties.

Realizing the danger to his company, Schwab acted immediately.

Armed with a flamethrower, he charged directly up the face of the ridge alone.

Enemy bullets tore through the air around him as he climbed toward the Japanese position in full view of the defenders.

Closing with the bunker, Schwab unleashed a stream of flame into the emplacement and destroyed the machine-gun position, allowing his company to seize the ridge.

But the fight was not over.

A second hidden Japanese machine gun suddenly opened fire, killing and wounding several Marines in seconds.

Schwab understood what would happen if the gun remained active.

Though his flamethrower fuel was running low, he chose to continue the assault alone.

Again advancing directly into concentrated enemy fire, he relentlessly closed on the second position.

Severely wounded during the final moments of the attack, Schwab nevertheless succeeded in destroying the second machine-gun emplacement.

His fearless assault shattered two critical enemy strongpoints and helped save his company during one of the fiercest stages of the Okinawa campaign.

His courage, aggression, and devotion to duty reflected the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

SCHWAB, ALBERT EARNEST

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a flamethrower operator in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Rykuyu Islands, 7 May 1945. Quick to take action when his company was pinned down in a valley and suffered resultant heavy casualties under blanketing machinegun fire emanating from a high ridge to the front, Pfc. Schwab, unable to flank the enemy emplacement because of steep cliffs on either side, advanced up the face of the ridge in bold defiance of the intense barrage and, skillfully directing the fire of his flamethrower, quickly demolished the hostile gun position, thereby enabling his company to occupy the ridge. Suddenly a second enemy machinegun opened fire, killing and wounding several marines with its initial bursts. Estimating with split-second decision the tactical difficulties confronting his comrades, Pfc. Schwab elected to continue his 1-man assault despite a diminished supply of fuel for his flamethrower. Cool and indomitable, he moved forward in the face of a direct concentration of hostile fire, relentlessly closed the enemy position and attacked. Although severely wounded by a final vicious blast from the enemy weapon, Pfc. Schwab had succeeded in destroying 2 highly strategic Japanese gun positions during a critical stage of the operation and, by his dauntless, single-handed efforts, had materially furthered the advance of his company. His aggressive initiative, outstanding valor and professional skill throughout the bitter conflict sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.