Page 96 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

ROBERT SCHROEDER, DMD
ARMY, AIR FORCE, NAVY
BY CAROLYN SCHROEDER, WIDOW
Colonel Robert Schroeder proudly wore the uniform of three branches of the United States military in the course of his lifetime - Army in World War II, Air Force during the Korean conflict, Navy as a reservist during his years as a dental student and subsequently Army reserve, culminating in 36 years of active and reserve duty
In 1944 after six weeks of basic training as an infantry soldier, private Schroeder boarded a train going West , apparently to serve in the war with Japan. Then, without any explanation, his trip was interrupted; he was ordered to board a train going East, subsequently on a ship to Europe and then on to Switzerland where he was trained in counterintelligence. The Army had lately discovered private Schroeder was fluent in both German and Dutch, having spent many childhood hours in Oklahoma with neighboring paternal grandparents, immigrants from Germany, and his maternal grandparents from Holland.
As a counterintelligence agent, Schroeder was assigned to General Patton's 3rd Army in Europe. Upon Germany's surrender, Schroeder was assigned to a German city to implement directions for the mayor and citizens for their new way of life.
After the army discharge, Schroeder completed a bachelors and a Master’s degree at Baylor University just in time to be recalled to military service for the Korean conflict. This time he joined the Air Force. After 16 months of pilot training he flew fighter planes in Strategic Air Command (SAC).
Military service had twice delayed Schroeder's desire to pursue a medical career. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he attended Baylor to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. While in dental school, he was active in the Naval Reserves. The following 40 years in private practice in North Dallas also included Army Reserve time, concluding military life as Colonel Commander of an Army Reserve dental unit in San Antonio TX.
96