He was born on October 27, 1918 in Wisconsin. His father, Paul, was born in Minnesota, and his mother, Paulina, was born in Wisconsin. His father worked as an operator of “motion pitctures” and passed away in 1939. By 1940, Glen seems to have taken up the family business and was working at a movie theater as well. He had completed four years of high school and had one older sister.
Wisconsin newspapers of late Summer, 1940 paint a picture of a typical 21 year old American boy. In August, he was involved in a car crash that flipped his car six times – where three of the six involved in the crash died. In September of 1940 it was reported that he was elected president of the Green Bay Mike And Key club – a bi weekly meeting for those interested in amateur radio as a hobby. However, just one month later, The Green Bay Press Gazette reported his number, 120, had been chosen in the draft.
He was inducted January 28, 1941.
“He was inducted into the U.S. Army and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for basic training. He was assigned to A Company, 192nd Tank Battalion which had been a Wisconsin National Guard tank company. He lived through the Japanese attack on Clark Airfield and fought in some of the first tank battles of World War II involving American tanks. He became a Prisoner of War on April 9, 1942 and took part in the Bataan Death March. He was held at Camp O'Donnell and Cabanatuan POW Camps.
He died at Cabanatuan and was buried in the camp cemetery.”
His mother was informed that he was a POW in March of 1943, even though he had passed a full six months earlier. By July of 1943 word had reached his mother of his death.
His grave was initally at the POW Camp Cabanatuan in the camp cemetery. After the war, his mother requested his remains be reburied at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. His final burial took place on October 20, 1949.
As an aside, there is an excellent book on the “Great Raid” that took place to rescue the POWs at Camp Cabanatuan in January, 1945. Ghost Soldiers, by Hampton Sides.
Thank you Glen for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Pvt. Glen Schlingerman.
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This profile was researched and written by Chris Prough - "Father of eight children, just celebrated his 30th anniversary with his lovely wife Susanne. Lives in Mount Pleasant, IA, where there are no mountains and the jury is still out on the whole "pleasant" thing. Lover of history since a child. I believe in this endeavor as my own great uncle, Harold Ozmun, will be featured December 15. Many thanks to Don for affording me the privilege to help him out."
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