PVT Edwin Christian Scherz

PVT Edwin Christian Scherz was born 28 Mar 1914 in Eldridge, Iowa. He was the 2nd of 10 children born to Werner Walter and Elfrieda Rebecca Margaretha (Schneckloth) Scherz. In 1920 the family lived at 315 Myrtle Avenue in Davenport, Iowa and his father was working as a railway conductor. By 1930 the family had moved to 223 West 17th Street and his father was working as a salesman and Edwin was working as a salesman at a pool hall. He had completed 2-years of high school. Edwin married Opal E. Lathrop on 24 Jul 1935 and the couple lived at 312 West 9th Street. The couple would have a son in December 1935 and a daughter in May 1938. Edwin was working in the building industry for E. W. Houghton in 1940 earning a reported 1939 income of $720. Edwin was known as a fun-loving guy, played the banjo and drums and rode a motorcycle.

Although he had previously served in the 185th Field Artillery Regiment of the Iowa National Guard, Edwin wasn't drafted until April 1944. After his basic military training PVT Scherz was sent to the European theater. He was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 25 Oct 1944 where he served as a rifleman. PVT Scherz was killed in action in the vicinity of Baesweiler, Germany on 18 Nov 1944.

PVT Scherz rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Brother, Raymond Erwin Scherz, served in U.S. Army 1941-1945. Youngest brother, Kenneth Scherz, retired from the U.S. Army after 23-years service including duty in Germany. Edwin's son Charles also served in the U.S. Army.