Walter Gabriel Schindler
Nickname(s)"Butch"
Born(1897-12-10)December 10, 1897
New Glarus, Wisconsin
DiedApril 3, 1991(1991-04-03) (aged 93)
Sarasota, Florida
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1917−1959
Rank Vice admiral
Service number57173
Commands heldEighth Naval District
Naval Forces Germany
Naval Ordnance Laboratory
USS Topeka (CL-67)
USS Finch (AM-9)
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II Korean War
AwardsNavy Cross
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (2)
Navy Commendation Medal
RelationsS. A. Schindler (father)

Walter Gabriel Schindler (December 10, 1897 – April 3, 1991) was a highly decorated career officer in the United States Navy, who ultimately achieved the rank of Vice Admiral. While a Commander during World War II, Schindler received a Navy Cross and a Silver Star for his service aboard the Yorktown (CV-5), including during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was transferred stateside later and commanded Naval Ordnance Laboratory for the duration of the War.[1]

Following the War, Schindler was promoted to Rear admiral and commanded Cruiser Division Three during the later stage of Korean War. He later served as last Commander, Naval Forces Germany and completed his service as Commandant, Eighth Naval District in New Orleans, Louisiana.[2][1]

Early career

Walter G. Schindler was born on December 10, 1897 in New Glarus, Wisconsin, to S. A. Schindler and Anna Schindler.[3] His father became a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and served as Deputy State Treasurer at the time of his death. Young Walter graduated from the St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin in summer of 1916 and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison for one year, before received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in June 1917.[4][2]

While at the Academy, Schindler was active in the track squad; also served on the Lucky Bag staff and was designated an Expert rifleman. During the summer of 1918 while still at the Academy, he was assigned as Midshipman to the battleship Missouri operating with the Atlantic Fleet. Schindler later resumed his studies and finally graduated with Bachelor of Science degree on June 3, 1921 and was commissioned Ensign on that date.[5][2]

There were several late admirals and general officers among his classmates including Edward C. Ewen, Apollo Soucek, John M. Hoskins, John P. Whitney, John C. McQueen, Robert F. Hickey, Lorenzo S. Sabin Jr., Clinton A. Misson, Joseph A. Connoly, George L. Russell, and Howard N. Kenyon.[5]

Following his graduation, Schindler was assigned to the battleship Tennessee operating with the Pacific Fleet. He served in that capacity until June 1924, when he was promtoed to Lieutenant (junior grade) and transferred to the destroyer Robert Smith cruising along the west coast of the United States and Mexico and later visiting ports in Samoa, New Zealand and Australia with the Battle Force, Pacific Fleet.[6][7][8][9][2]

In May 1927, Schindler was promoted to Lieutenant and ordered to the Naval Postgraduate School then located at Annapolis, Maryland where he completed course in ordnance engineering there. He was subsequently ordered to the Washington Navy Yard for torpedo instruction which he completed in May 1930. Schindler subsequently rejoined the battleship Tennessee and participated in the patrol duty with the Pacific Fleet until March 1933. Schindler was then transferred to Washington, D.C. and joined the Bureau of Ordnance under Rear admiral Harold R. Stark. While in Washington, Schindler completed the Naval War College correspondence course in strategy and tactics.[10][11][12][2]

After two years in that capacity, Schindler was transferred to the Far East and assigned to destroyer Whipple operating as the flagship of Destroyer Division Thirteen within the Asiatic Fleet. Following the service aboard Whipple off the coast of the Philippines and China, Schindler assumed his first command at sea command, minesweeper Finch.[13][14][2]

Upon promotion to Lieutenant commander in June 1937, Schindler was appointed Gunnery officer aboard the cruiser Augusta which served as the flagship of Commander-in-Chief, Asiatic Fleet, Admiral Harry E. Yarnell. He also assumed additional duty as Commander, Mine Division Three and served in the Chinese waters until May 1940, when he was ordered back to the United States.[2]

Upon his return stateside, Schindler rejoined the Bureau of Ordnance now under Rear admiral William R. Furlong and served with the Fire Control section for more than a year. He returned to the sea in July 1941 as recently promoted Commander and Gunnery & Training officer on the staff of Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force under Rear admiral John H. Newton.[15][16][2]

World War II

Battles of Coral Sea, Midway and Solomons

Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II, Schindler was still serving on the staff of Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force, now under Rear admiral Frank J. Fletcher. His command was later transformed into Commander, Cruisers, Pacific Fleet and designated Task Force 17 (TF17) and Fletcher selected the aircraft carrier Yorktown as his flagship. Schindler then took part with TF17 in the escort of a convoy carrying Marine reinforcements to American Samoa in early January 1942 before participated in Marshalls–Gilberts and Salamaua–Lae raids one month later.[2]

Upon the Japanese landing on New Guinea in late January 1942, Japanese switched their focus on the capture the town of Port Moresby which could be use as future Naval and Air base for invasion to Australia. The U.S. learned of the Japanese plan through signals intelligence and sent two U.S. Navy carrier task forces and a joint Australian-American cruiser force to oppose the offensive, under the overall command of U.S. Admiral Frank J. Fletcher.[2]

Japanese forces invaded and occupied Tulagi on May 3-4 and Schindler volunteered as free gunner in an airplane of Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5) in three successive attacks against enemy Japanese forces in order to get more accurate information about enemy forces and their disposition. Three days later, Fletcher's units meet Japanese fleet in the Coral Sea, between Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and sank light carrier Shōhō. Schindler volunteered again as free gunner in Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber of future fighter ace Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa during the attack on Shōhō and filmed the naval battle unfolding below him. Schindler's footage was later used to develop future strategies for aircraft carrier combat.[2]

On May 8, Schindler flew as gunner to Lieutenant Turner F. Caldwell Jr. (Scouting Squadron FIVE's Executive Officer) in the attack on the carrier Shokaku. During their run, the SBDs were beset by Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters. Schindler fired at any that came within range, claiming one destroyed. For his service during the battle of the Coral Sea, he was decorated with Navy Cross, the United States second highest decoration for valor.[17] Schindler was considered the first U.S. serviceman to shoot down a Zero from the rear seat of a navy dive bomber.[18][19][2]

Schindler then took part in the Battle of Midway on June 4-7; invasion of Tulagi and Guadalcanal on August 7–9; and battle of the Eastern Solomons on August 24–25 and was promoted to the temporary rank of Captain on June 20, 1942. Following the departure of admiral Fletcher in November 1942, Schindler was appointed Chief of Staff and Aide of Task Force 11 under recently promoted Rear admiral DeWitt C. Ramsey.[2]

After a period of reorganization of Task Force 11 under new Rear admiral Willis Augustus Lee, Schindler continued in the capacity of Chief of Staff and Aide and took part of the naval operation off the Baker Island, where TF11 provided air cover during the occupation of the Island and the construction of an airfield there. Beside the Navy Cross, Schindler received Silver Star and Navy Commendation Ribbon for his service in Pacific.[19][2]

Stateside duty

Schindler returned to the United States in November 1943 and was assigned to the headquarters of Twelfth Naval district in San Francisco, California. He served under Vice admiral John W. Greenslade there for few weeks before beeing transferred to Washington, D.C. for duty with the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, the Navy's research facility for Naval Ordnance. Schindler served as Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory until October 1945 and was responsible for the design of the mines used extensively in the prosecution of the Pacific War. He also successfully promoted the construction of the White Oak research and development plant of the Bureau of Ordnance, energetically supporting the reforms necessary to make these and similar laboratories into well functioning establishments. For his service in this capacity, Schindler was decorated with Legion of Merit.[19][2]

Postwar service

In ealry November 1945, Schindler was ordered to San Pedro, Los Angeles where he assumed command of light cruiser Topeka (CL-67) which just arrived from Pacific area. He supervised the ship's overhaul and embarked for Japan in early January 1946, arriving to Yokosuka before the end of month. Topeka then patrolled Japanese and Chinese waters and Schindler returned to the United States in July that year.[20][2]

He entered the instruction at the National War College in Washington, D.C. in September 1946 and completed the course in June 1947. Schindler was subsequently transferred to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations before departed for Valparaíso, Chile for duty as Chief of the Naval Mission there. While in this capacity, he was promoted to Rear admiral on July 1, 1948 and received decorations from Chile and Peru.[18][21][2]

In December 1949, Schindler returned to the United States and reported as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance for Research and while in this capacity, he served as Deputy to Vice admiral Albert G. Noble until the end of July 1950, when he returned to Naval Ordnance Laboratory as its Commanding officer.[2]

Korean War

Schindler was transferred to the Far East in July 1952 and assumed command of Cruiser Division Three, composing of heavy cruiser Bremerton; and the destroyers Allen M. Sumner, Moale, Purdy, and Ingraham. Schindler commanded his ships during the bombardment of heavily defended east coast of Korea against enemy fortifications and facilities, resuilting in the destruction of industrial and supply centers, rail and highway bridges, vehicles, transportation junctions and staging areas including Kojo. For his service in Korea, he was decorated with his second Legion of Merit with Combat "V".[19][2][1]

Later service

Upon his return stateside in August 1953, Schindler was transferred to Washington, D.C. and joined the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations under Admiral Robert Carney as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Fleet Operations and Readiness). He served in this capacity until October 1955, when he was transferred to Europe as Commander, United States Naval Forces Germany with headquarters in Heidelberg. While in this capacity, he was responsible for all US naval activities in Germany including U.S. Naval Advanced Base Bremerhaven, Rhine River Patrol, Medical Technical Unit Heidelberg, U.S. Navy Member Military Mission Potsdam, and Sub Headquarters Intelligence Detachment Berlin.[13][2][1]

He served as the last commander of that command, before it was disbanded in July 1957 and he returned to the United States for new assignment. Schindler was subsequently transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana for duty as Commandant, Eighth Naval District which included the areas of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico. Within these areas, his command included the Naval Reserve Training Center in Galveston, Texas; Naval and Marine Corps Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Naval Reserve Training Center at Abilene, Texas; Navy Reserve Surface Division, Navy Reserve Officer School, and Mobilization Unit and Marine Reserves in Amarillo, Texas and other.[22][23][2][1][24][25]

Retirement

Schindler held that command until October 1, 1959, when he retired from active duty completing 42 years of service. He was subsequently advanced to the rank of Vice admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.[2][26]

Following his retirement in the Navy, Schindler founded the "Project Alert", an organization designated to make the civilian population of the United States aware of the struggle with Soviet Union and the consequences that would result if the United States should lose the Cold War. He served a Vice Chairman and Deputy of the Advisory Council on Naval Affairs under Admiral John W. Reeves Jr. and as a National Director of the Navy League in 1960-1961, before assumed duty as a National Commissioner of the Freedoms Foundation.[27][28][29][30]

Vice admiral Walter G. Schindler died on April 3, 1991, aged 93, in Sarasota, Florida. He was survived by his second wife Mary Arline Steen (1908-1984). His first wife Flora B. Streiff died in 1944 at the age of 44.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral Schindler:[19][2][1]

V
Gold star
V
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st
Row		 Navy Cross Silver Star
2nd
Row		 Legion of Merit
with Combat "V"		 Navy Commendation Medal
with Combat "V"		 World War I Victory Medal
with Atlantic Fleet Clasp
3rd
Row		 China Service Medal
with service star		 American Defense Service Medal
with Fleet Clasp		 American Campaign Medal
4th
Row		 Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal
with one silver and four bronze 3/16 inch service stars		 World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal
5th
Row		 National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal
with two 3/16 inch service stars		 United Nations Korea Medal
6th
Row		 Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon Honorary Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
7th
Row		 Chilean Military Medal, 1st Class Peruvian Order of Naval Merit Korean Presidential Unit Citation

See also


References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Admiral Schindler to talk at B'Wood – Abilene Reporter-News, 13 April 1958, Sunday Page 24". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "Admiral Schindler to speak in Iberia during sugar fete – The Daily Iberian, 23 September 1957, Monday Page 1". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Schindler, Aide to Levitan, is Found Dead," Capital Times (Madison WI), 1931-06-17 at pp. 1, 8.
  4. ↑ "Weddings: Strieff-Schindler," Capital Times, 1923-01-11 at p. 14.
  5. 1 2 "Lucky Bag - USNA Class of 1921". United States Naval Academy. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1923. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1924. pp. 58–59. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1925. p. 56. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1926. p. 56. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  10. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1927. p. 52. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  11. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1930. p. 48. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  12. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1933. p. 50. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Schindler Takes Command of Naval Forces, Germany," European Stars & Stripes, 1955-10-13 at p. 2.
  14. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1936. p. 42. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1939. p. 34. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  16. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1940. p. 36. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  17. ↑ Cressman, Robert J., That Gallant Ship: USS Yorktown (CV-5), p.105
  18. 1 2 "Admiral Schindler to Direct Research," Wisconsin State Journal, 1950-07-22 at p. 12.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Military Times Hall of Valor: Awards for Walter Gabriel Schindler". Military Times. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  20. ↑ "Cruiser Photo Index CL-67 / CLG-8 USS TOPEKA". navsource.org. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  21. ↑ Calloway, James R. (1964). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 88th Congress. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. p. 20093. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Rear Adm. Schindler to Dedicate Facility," Brownsville (TX) Bulletin, 1958-04-13 at p. 10.
  23. ↑ "Schindler takes command of 8th Naval District – The La Marque Times, 21 August 1957, Wednesday, Page 1". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  24. ↑ "New Chief for Naval District – The Amarillo Globe-Times, 21 August 1957, Wednesday Page 27". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "Admiral presents Naval Unit Awards – The Tulsa Tribune, 2 October 1958, Thursday Page 29". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  26. ↑ "Warder to command 8th Naval District – Nashville Banner, 27 August 1959, Thursday Page 9". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  27. ↑ "Rotarians hears of the Red Threat – Pensacola News Journal, 11 May 1960, Wednesday Page 16". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  28. ↑ "NL delegats hear admirals – Anaheim Bulletin, 4 May 1960, Wednesday Page 19". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "Admiral to address Anti-Red Forum here – The Atlanta Constitution, 22 February 1961, Wednesday Page 15". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  30. ↑ "Admiral keynotes Veterans day at Sarasota – Tampa Bay Times, 12 November 1967, Sunday Page 12". newspapers.com. newspapers.com archive Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
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