Sergeant Schwartz writes home to inform his family and friends that he had reentered France on his way home to Pennsylvania.
Letters from War – Camp San Antonio near Reims, France, September 1945
Letters from War – Learning of Japan’s surrender at the “GI Olympics” in Nuremberg – August 1945
Sergeant Schwartz learned of the Japanese surrender in August 1945 while at a US Army sporting event in Nuremberg, Germany.
Letters from War – Celebrating Independence Day 1945 in occupied Germany
Sergeant Irvin Schwartz describes the Fourth of July festivities in the ruined city of Nuremberg in July 1945.
Letters from War – Sergeant Schwartz’s farewell to General Eisenhower – June 1945
In the weeks after VE Day in the spring of 1945, General Eisenhower returned to the US. Sergeant Schwartz penned a farewell to his "supreme commander."
Photographs show makeshift emergency hospital in Lykens, Pennsylvania during 1918 pandemic
These incredible photographs show the tent field hospital set up in Lykens during the darkest month in American history.
“Died as Good American” – An immigrant was one of the first Tamaqua soldiers killed in World War I
Caralunas became one of the first soldiers from Schuylkill County to be killed-in-action during World War I.
Letters from War – Sergeant Irvin Schwartz receives the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry during the Battle of the Bulge
In 1945, Sergeant Irvin Schwartz was honored with the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism during the Battle of the Bulge.
Letters from War – A chippy letter in response to a fellow Pine Grove soldier serving in Italy – 1945
Sergeant Schwartz took offense to a comment from a soldier in Italy about the difference in fighting conditions between the Italian front and inside Nazi Germany.
Letters from War – “I believe the end is coming soon,” March 1945
In a March 1945 letter, Sgt. Irvin Schwartz shared insights about Nazi Germany's desperate "total war" efforts to turn back Allied attacks.
Letters from War – Ideas for a World War II memorial in Pine Grove and a dislike of monuments – 1945
As World War II drew to a close, Sgt. Irvin Schwartz laid out a proposal to honor the Pine Grove area servicemembers when they returned home.
Wynning History 