[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE SERVICE OF DONALD E. SCHNOOR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Donald 
E. Schnoor. Mr. Schnoor is a Korean War veteran who served the United 
States of America honorably.
  Donald E. Schnoor was born in Chowchilla on December 19, 1934. Twenty 
years later, he would be part of the famed First Cavalry Division 
fighting in Korea.
  Don attended local schools. In June 1952, shortly after graduating 
from Chowchilla High, he enlisted for three years in the U.S. Army. 
After basic training at Fort Ord, he was selected to train as a 
musician with the Army Band Training Unit. Upon completion of band 
training, he was assigned to play the trombone with the 6th Army band 
at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The band played for troops leaving and 
arriving by ship to and from the Far East, primarily Korea. Numerous 
Hollywood and local professional celebrities performed with the band. 
Wanting to see a bit of the world, Don subsequently volunteered for 
duty with Army occupation troops in Japan.
  Upon arrival in Japan, Don was informed that although he had been 
trained as a musician the Army considered him an infantryman first and 
a trombone player second. Upon reaching Inchon, Korea, Don joined the 
5th Regiment of the legendary First Cavalry Division along the 
frontlines southeast of Seoul near Yong Dong Po. He was assigned duty 
as part of a fire team for a 75 MM recoilless rifle mounted on a \3/4\ 
ton 4x4 utility truck.
  Don served in Korea until the truce was signed in 1954 and then 
joined the rest of the First Cavalry Division in Hokkaido, Japan.
  Later that year, the 5th Regiment moved south to Sendai, Japan, where 
Don joined the First Cavalry Band and Orchestra. Shortly after joining 
the band, Don was recommended to audition for the U.S.O. Orchestra, and 
after tough competition, was accepted. He spent the remainder of his 
overseas service traveling in Japan playing for U.S.O. shows for 
American servicemen. Don was one of three trombonists and enjoyed the 
duty.
  Don returned to the U.S. in the late spring of 1955 and was 
discharged as a sergeant at Fort Ord. For his service, he was awarded 
the Presidential Unit Citation, the Korean Service Medal, the United 
Nations Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct 
Medal.
  After military service to his country, Don returned to Chowchilla and 
began a career in farming that has continued for fifty-six years. He 
and his wife, Peggy, have three daughters, six grandchildren, and two 
great-grandchildren.
  Don is a Life Member of Chowchilla VFW Post 9896, the American Legion 
Post of Madera, the Madera Elks, and the First United Methodist Church 
of Madera.
  Don said, ``I am truly proud to have had the opportunity to serve my 
country.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
service of Donald E. Schnoor for his dedication to his family and his 
country.

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