Private First Class

Albert E. Schwab

Marine Corps
Inducted 2009


Medal of Honor Recipient

Medal of Honor Recipient

Albert E. Schwab

Private First Class Albert E. Schwab, US Marine Corps Reserve (1920–1945), Headquarters Company, First Battalion Fifth Marines, First Marine Division was awarded the Medal of Honor for action in World War II against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, 7 May 1945.

He quickly took action when his company was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a high ridge to its front. Because of the terrain, he made a frontal assault skillfully deploying his flame thrower and wiped out the hostile gun position. When a second Japanese machine gun opened up killing and wounding several Marines, he unhesitatingly continued his one-man assault and succeeded in destroying the second enemy gun position.

Though mortally wounded, he successfully destroyed two enemy gun positions. His dauntless single-handed efforts throughout enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.