Palatine resident fought at Battle of the Bulge
One of the last survivors of the Army infantry division that fought on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge has passed away.
Charles Schwarz lived in Palatine for 43 years until retiring to Tucson in 2002. He passed away July 9 at age 83.
Family members say he didn't talk much about his years in World War II, but as an artist, he documented his experiences in a book, complete with detailed maps, descriptions and his military medals.
Mr. Schwarz was 17 when he enlisted in the Army, going to the recruiting office with friends from his Northwest side Chicago neighborhood. Initially, he was turned away because of his size, but as he told his children, he went to a nearby malt shop and downed four milkshakes in order to meet the weight requirement.
His historic part in the Battle of the Bulge happened when he was barely 19, while serving as a forward observer with the 589th Artillery unit of the Army's 106th Infantry division, known then as the Golden Lions.
They were ordered to the front lines to replace a veteran infantry division near Bastogne, in the Ardennes mountainous region of Belgium.
Mr. Schwarz was one of only 100 people from his Company B to survive the German attack during the battle's first three days, but he was later captured and served as a prisoner of war in a Belgian farmhouse.
"He was captured for several days, but he and seven other guys escaped out the back door," said his son, Charles, of Tucson. "The Germans shot at them, and he was wounded in the leg, but he got away."
They hid in the mountains for 16 days, during which the Army listed them as missing in action.
"They saw campfires at night, but they didn't know if they were German or Allied," his son added.
The men survived during one of the coldest winters on record in Europe, leaving them with severe frostbite and trench foot, his sons said.
Back in Chicago, Mr. Schwarz worked as a commercial artist, and in 1951 helped start Banner Moulded Products in River Grove.
He also became involved in service organizations, including the Masons and the Shriners. Mr. Schwarz served as president of the Northwest Suburban Shrine Club in 1990, and actively participated in its Medinah Patrol, its competitive drill team.
Besides his son Charles, Mr. Schwarz is survived by his wife Elaine, son Ronald and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin in 1982 and daughter Cheryl, in 1989.
Funeral services have been held.