Albert E. Schwab

He silenced two machine guns and cleared a path for his men.

Albert E. Schwab was born in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 1920, and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Tulsa High School in 1937, briefly attended the University of Tulsa and then worked for an oil company. Inducted into the Marine Corps Reserve on May 12, 1944, he trained at San Diego and Camp Pendleton before sailing for the Pacific aboard USS Wharton that November.

At Pavuvu in the Russell Islands, Schwab joined Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Promoted to private first class in December, he landed on Okinawa on April 1, 1945, as a flamethrower operator.

On May 7, Japanese machine-gun fire from a ridge pinned his company in a valley. Steep cliffs prevented a flanking approach. Schwab climbed directly towards the first gun under fire and destroyed it with his flamethrower, allowing the Marines to occupy the ridge. When a second gun inflicted more casualties, he attacked again despite his dwindling fuel. He destroyed that position before being fatally wounded. His actions opened the way for his company's advance, just five days before the first anniversary of his induction.

Schwab received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark presented it to his young son in Tulsa in May 1946. His remains returned to the United States and were buried with military honors at Tulsa's Memorial Park Cemetery on February 27, 1949. Camp Schwab on Okinawa was named for him in 1959.

Medal of Honor citation

“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 Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. Quick to take action when his company was pinned down in a valley and suffered resultant heavy casualties under blanketing machine-gun 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 machine gun 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 one-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 with the enemy position, and attacked. Although severely wounded by a final vicious blast from the enemy weapon, Pfc. Schwab had succeeded in destroying two highly strategic Japanese gun positions during a critical stage of the operation and, by his dauntless, singlehanded 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.”