Metal Of Honor - Cousin Daniel Schoonover

Schoonover Ancestors.

I have spent a lot of time on the Hewitt branch of the family.  In part because they were so local to the Connecticut we settled in and there was such a wealth of information available. We have, for certain, 8 generations of Hewitt surnames, and questionably, 2 more to reach England.  The Van Schoonover surname is 10 generations deep and rock solid before it joins the Green surname.

11 Henndrick Van Schoonhover	b 1600  HOL.  d 1677 NY
10 Class Hendrickse Van Schoonhover	b 1629  HOL. d 1661 NY -1
9 Hendrick Claessen Van Schoonover	b 1652  NY d 1715 NY -4
8 Nicholas Van Schoonover	b 1694  NY d 1764 NJ -16
7 Peter Schoonover	b 1738 NJ d 1812 NY -42
6 Jacobus S Schoonover	b 1785 PA d 1867 IN  -137
5 Peter Schoonover	b 1806 NY d 1867 IN -310.1
4 William Schoonover	b 1839 IN d 1921 KS -680.6
3 John Oscar Schoonover	b 1872 MS, d 1958 CA.
2 Ila Mae Schoonover-Green	b 1902 KA d 1992 NY
1 John Hewitt Green	b 1926 CA

It is a wonder to watch the movement of our Schoonover’s as they traveled and settled across the country.   Even more amazing is the return to upstate NY to an area where the Van Schoonover name had such deep roots.

Although I had established the single line family ancestry above back to Henndrick Van Schoonhover, I have since discovered a web site that traces his descendants.  Visit;  https://sites.google.com/site/schoonoversinamerica/index/schoonover-mastertree1

The numbers to the right of the dates above refer to the numbering used on that web site.  It is admittedly, a confusing site for anyone who hasn’t seen the variety of formats some genealogy sites use.  I will be posting details that clarify our ancestors’ stories in future posts.

Of all the wonderful information on the site, one story in particular touches me deepest.   Of the millions on men and women who have served this country, our highest honor is the “Metal Of Honor”. Since its first award March 25, 1863 until May 13, 2014 only 3,448 have been recognized.  Your cousin Daniel Schoonover was one of these special heroes.

http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3184/schoonover-dan-d.php

Daniel Schoonover

Rank: Corporal

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company A

Division: 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division

Born: 8 October 1933, Boise, Idaho

Departed: Yes

Entered Service At: Boise, Idaho

G.O. Number: 5

Date of Issue: 01/14/1955

Accredited To:

Place / Date: Near Sokkogae, Korea, 8 to 10 July 1953

 Citation

Cpl. Schoonover, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He was in charge of an engineer demolition squad attached to an infantry company which was committed to dislodge the enemy from a vital hill. Realizing that the heavy fighting and intense enemy fire made it impossible to carry out his mission, he voluntarily employed his unit as a rifle squad and, forging up the steep barren slope, participated in the assault on hostile positions. When an artillery round exploded on the roof of an enemy bunker, he courageously ran forward and leaped into the position, killing 1 hostile infantryman and taking another prisoner. Later in the action, when friendly forces were pinned down by vicious fire from another enemy bunker, he dashed through the hail of fire, hurled grenades in the nearest aperture, then ran to the doorway and emptied his pistol, killing the remainder of the enemy. His brave action neutralized the position and enabled friendly troops to continue their advance to the crest of the hill. When the enemy counterattacked he constantly exposed himself to the heavy bombardment to direct the fire of his men and to call in an effective artillery barrage on hostile forces. Although the company was relieved early the following morning, he voluntarily remained in the area, manned a machine gun for several hours, and subsequently joined another assault on enemy emplacements. When last seen he was operating an automatic rifle with devastating effect until mortally wounded by artillery fire. Cpl. Schoonover's heroic leadership during 2 days of heavy fighting, superb personal bravery, and willing self-sacrifice inspired his comrades and saved many lives, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the honored traditions of the military service.