PVT Henry Edward Schmetzer was born 18 Sep 1923 in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. He was the 6th of 8 children born to John Avelis and Mary Elizabeth (Bossey) Schmetzer. His father was a driver and factory worker. John Schmetzer contracted pneumonia and died at age 48 in 1933. It is unclear how Mary may have supported her youngest children, including Henry but the oldest children were in their 20s and may have contributed to her household's support. The family moved to McKee's Rocks, Pennsylvania. Henry only completed 2-years of high school.
Henry was drafted in September 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and on 15 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to D Company 116th Infantry. PVT Schmetzer fought with the unit until killed in action as the unit approached Vire, France on 31 Jul 1944.
PVT Schmetzer was repatriated and re-interred in the
Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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