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Schlegel (Lee C.) World War II Collection
SC.LCS
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Lee C. Schlegel World War II Collection
Creator:
Schlegel, Lee C., 1919-2004
Identifier/Call Number: SC.LCS
Extent:
2.15 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1936-1954
Date (bulk): 1941-1944
Abstract: The Lee C. Schlegel World War II
Collection documents the experiences of United States Army soldier, Lee Cyrus Schegel, whose
enlistment period spanned the first three years of United States involvement in World War
II. The collection consists of approximately two-hundred photographic prints, a scrapbook,
two diaries, and a small amount of personal papers.
Language of Material: English
Lee Cyrus Schlegel was born on May 26, 1919 in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania to
parents, Theodore Machmer and Anna Bertha (née Luckenbill) Schlegel. Following high school,
Schlegel was employed as a structural and ornamental metal worker. He married Dorothy E.
Moyer on September 10, 1941, and less than two weeks later, enlisted in the United States
Army at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
Schlegel underwent his initial military training at Camp Croft, South Carolina. In
February 1942, he was assigned to Company D, 34th Infantry Division and traveled to Fort
Dix, New Jersey in preparation for overseas movement. By the end of April, Schlegel's
regiment had set sail for the UK where the division would ready themselves for the
British-American invasion of North Africa known as
Operation
Torch,
which began in November 1942. Schlegel took part in a number of North
African campaigns, including the
Battle of Hill 609, that
ultimately led to surrender by Axis forces in Tunisia in May 1943. The following September,
the 34
th Infantry Division boarded an English ship bound for
Italy to take part in the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland, known as
Operation Avalanche.
Schlegel would distinguish himself as an exemplary soldier during this campaign, later
receiving the Silver Star for gallantry in action. As described, "in the face of this heavy
fire and while under full enemy observation, [Schlegel] crawled up a slippery and
treacherous rise to the aid of three wounded men, administered first-aid and stayed with
them until the barrage ceased. He then made two trips with the litter squads, aiding the
evacuation of the men, before returning to resume command of his squad. Sergeant Schlegel's
display of courage and initiative was an inspiration to the men of his platoon and a credit
to the Armed Forces of the United States."
In January 1944, while moving into position at Mt. Trocchio, Italy, Schlegel suffered a
leg injury and was hospitalized at Naples for three months. When he returned to service in
June, the 34
th Division had moved through Cisterna,
Civitavecchia, and on to Rome pushing Axis forces north. Schlegel received a furlough notice
on July 22, and finally made it stateside on September 3, 1944.
Lee Cyrus Schlegel passed away on November 16, 2004 at Shillington, Berks County,
Pennsylvania and is buried at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton, Exeter Township, Berks
County, Pennsylvania.
The
Lee C. Schlegel World War II Collection documents the
experiences of United States Army Sergeant, Lee Cyrus Schlegel, whose enlistment period
spanned nearly three years of United States involvement in World War II, beginning in
September, 1941 and ending in September, 1944. The collection consists of approximately
two-hundred photographic prints, a scrapbook, two diaries, and a small amount of personal
papers. Photographs focus on the soldier's daily life overseas and include snapshots of
fellow soldiers, barracks and other military dwellings, defensive fighting positions,
military vehicles and equipment, village life, and landscapes of North Africa and Italy,
with a small number of pictures taken stateside. The scrapbook consists of newspaper
clippings, camp menus, newsletters, ticket stubs, and postcards, which document the War from
a local, national, and international perspective. Two diaries penned by Schlegel describe
the movements of his regiment, Company D, 34th Infantry Division, as well as personal
observations and feelings about the day-to-day life of a wartime soldier. The collection is
arranged alphabetically.
The collection is open for research use.
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Purchased, 10/06/2015
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival
Materials
guide.
Holli Teltoe, 2015
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Photographs
Scrapbooks