Greene County

Pfc. Alvin L. Schilling

 

46 DRAFTEES LEAVE

Forty-six men left early Wednesday morning by special bus for Camp Dodge, where they were to spend the day undergoing physical examinations and tests, preparatory to entering armed service through the selective service system. After returning home, they will have a seven-day furlough.

Included in the group were a number of 18-year-olds who have been registered within the last few months. Also, in the group were a few married men, who have no dependents besides their wives.

Missing is the usual list of men enlisting in branches of the service prior to the draft call, but included in the county’s quota. Recent bans against enlistment have resulted in this.

The men who left Wednesday morning are:

Alvin Lyle Schilling, Jefferson;

Source: Jefferson Bee, January 12, 1943

Enters WAC Medical Unit

WAC Recruiting Office, Des Moines—
Pvt. Betty J. Schilling, 20, Jefferson, became Iowa’s first medical assistant to be sworn into the Women’s Army Corps under the new Purple Heart recruiting program, to serve at Schick General Hospital, Clinton.

Just one day before taking her oath of enlistment, Pvt. Schilling received the news that her husband, Pfc. Alvin L. Schilling, who had been reported missing in action for 4 months, was a German prisoner. Pvt. Schilling disclosed that her own experience was added incentive to help those who are suffering personal physical and mental effects of the war.

Pvt. Schilling, daughter of Mrs. Elsie Stoll, Jefferson, is anxious to get started in her new medical career. For approximately a years she was a nurse’s aide in Green County Hospital at Jefferson. Before her enlistment, she worked at the OPA office in her hometown.

Basic training will commence at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., for Pvt. Schilling, with the first platoon of medical assistants from Iowa. Following this, she will complete a technical course at one of 4 general hospitals in the country. Pvt. Schilling will then report for duty at Schick.

Source: Jefferson Bee, February 8, 1945

PFC. ALVIN SCHILLING HAS BEEN RELEASED

Local relatives were notified by telegram late last night that Pfc. Alvin Lyle (Short) Schilling, who had been missing in action since Oct. 12, and had been a prisoner of war of the German government, has been freed.

The message was from his wife, the former Betty Stoll, who is now a WAC in training at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Mrs. Schilling said she would telephone more details this evening. The government had sent word that he was missing, but the family never had received official notice that he was taken prisoner. However, earlier this year Mrs. Schilling began to received prisoner of war mail from him. Private Schilling is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schilling of Jefferson.

Source: The Jefferson Herald, April 26, 1945

NEWS COMES FROM FREED PRISONERS 15 MESSAGES ARE RECEIVED
FAMILES GET LONG-AWAITED GOOD TIDINGS FROM BOYS IN GERMANY;
TEN STILL TO COME

Word continues to come of the liberation of Greene county men who were taken prisoners of war February 17, 1943, in North Africa. These were in the national guard and left Jefferson early in 1941 for training at Camp Claiborne, La., and after being in Ireland, Scotland and England, participated in landings in North Africa.

Thus far, 15 men of the approximate 25 who were taken prisoner, have sent word home either in letters, Red Cross telegrams, personal telegrams, or by word sent through friends.

Indications are that after the invasion of Europe, the men who had been together in prison camps, were separated in moved to other camps. Delay in the messages is attributed to the fact that the camps were largely liberated by the Russians, and communication with the United States has had to wait until the men could get to territory held by the Americans.

PFC. ALVIN SCHILLING

Word came Saturday night of the liberation of another local man who has been a prisoner of war of the German government, Pfc. Alvin Schilling. He was not one of the guard company captured, but was taken prisoner Oct. 12, 1944. This message was dated May 18 and came through the Red Cross to his wife, who is in training as a WAC for hospital duty at Oglethorpe, Ga. Mrs. Schilling is the former Betty Stoll and Private Schilling’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schilling of Jefferson.

Source: Jefferson Bee, May 22, 1945

MORE MESSAGES FROM PRISONERS

Relatives were happy to receive word of the liberation of another Jefferson man, Pfc. Alvin Schilling, who was taken prisoner of war Oct. 12, 1944. Word came Saturday night to his wife, the former Betty Stoll, who is now in training as a hospital WAC at Oglethorpe, Ga. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schilling of Jefferson, and he also had been held by the Germans. Another message has been received from him, a card dated May 13, which said he was in British hands, was well and safe and would be home soon.

Source: Jefferson Herald, May 24, 1945

SAW SERVICE WITH FAMED 9TH DIVISION
T. Sgt. Duane Rohovit, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Rohovit, has returned from service in Europe with the famed Ninth division and has been discharged. Other Greene county boys who served with the Ninth are Alvin Schilling and George Booth.

Source: Jefferson Bee, October 2, 1945