Capt. W.G. Schindler to Command U.S.S. Topeka

Wednesday, December 12, 1945

Capt. W.G. Schindler, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Schindler, was a visitor here on Friday, being en route from Washington, D.C., to the west coast, where he is to take command of the U.S.S. Topeka. During his brief visit at New Glarus, he left a $50 check to be used as the beginning of a fund for a Swimming Pool for New Glarus.

Headed Research Laboratory

Since the fall of 1943, when he returned from several years of service in the Pacific war area, he has been in charge of the world’s largest ordinance research laboratory in Maryland. Working under him were 1,000 technical experts. At this laboratory, new weapons were developed as well as counter measures for these weapons.

Annapolis Graduate

Capt. Schindler, who grew up in New Glarus, and is the highest ranking officer in the armed forces from this community, attended St. John’s Military Academy at Delafield and the University of Wisconsin for one year before entering the Naval Academy at Annapolis.

Served Abroad

For a time, the Schindler family lived in the Philippines, China and Japan, while he was in service there. The family was living at Honolulu on December 7, 1941, and Capt. Schindler was on board ship just off Midway when Pearl Harbor was bombed.

In 1943, he was promoted from Commander to Captain. Before that time, he had been awarded the Navy Cross because of volunteering as a free gunner in an airplane engagement in the Battle of the Solomon Islands. He was also awarded a letter of commendation for outstanding heroism aboard the aircraft carrier Yorktown in the battle of the Coral Sea.

Wins Silver Star Medal

Also in 1943, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in the Pacific areas, as gunnery officer on the staff of a major Task Force Commander, participating in dive bombing raids during engagements in the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Solamaua and Lae battles.

In Aerial Combat

While taking active part in aerial combat, he radioed an account of each battle back to the flag ship while his pilot was maneuvering into position against enemy targets. When the Yorktown went down at the Battle of Midway, Captain Schindler transferred with the staff of Commander Cruiser, Pacific, to another flattop (aircraft carrier) and later to the Saratoga.

Rear Admiral DeWitt C. Ramsey said of Capt. Schindler, “he exemplifies the very finest type of Naval officer.”

Mrs. Schindler, the former Flora Streiff, daughter of Fred Streiff, New Glarus, died about a year ago. There are two daughters and a granddaughter in the family living in Washington, D.C.

Sgt. Leonard Bigler Home From Iran

Sgt. Leonard Bigler has returned to civilian life after 35 months of Army service, of which 29 months were spent overseas in Iran. He had 58 points to his credit.

Leonard entered service in January 1943, and received training at Camp Swift, Texas. In July 1943, he was sent to Iran, where he served as a military police guarding supplies on their way to Russia.

At one time he enjoyed an 8-day leave in Palestine and visited Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Twice he was at a rest camp at Teheran, the historic spot of Stalin, Churchhill and Roosevelt. He also saw the king and queen of Iran.

Temperatures ran as high as 125 in the shade, so the present cold spell is a considerable change from what he has been used to the last several years.

Leonard says he received the Post regularly and since V.-E. Day (Victory Europe) usually got it in 8 or 9 days.

On his return home, he flew all the way to New York, leaving Abadam, Iran, on November 30th, with stops in Cairo, Tripoli, Casablanca, Azores, New Foundland and arriving in New York December 3. He arrived at Camp McCoy December 7th.

Before entering service, Leonard was employed by James Green, Monroe, delivering beer.