War Trophy Of Company E Soldier

G.I.'s bring home souvenirs of their deployments overseas, many of which become treasured mementos,
and some of which are historically significant. One such item is the German binoculars brought home
from World War II by PFC William D. Scheer of Company E 22nd Infantry.

William Dexter Scheer was born in Missouri on July 16, 1911. He was drafted into the Army
on March 21, 1944 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. At the time of induction his home of residence
was listed as Pike County, Missouri. In the 1946 yearbook for the 22nd Infantry Regiment, his home
of residence was listed as Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri. his civilian occupation was listed as
Skilled Mechanics and Repairmen, Motor Vehicles. He had completed four years of High School and
was married.

He and his wife Nellie are buried in Plot: C-184-5 of Grand View Burial Park, Hannibal, Ralls County, Missouri.

"Capture papers" listing the items brought back to the States by William Scheer, showing that he brought back a Luger pistol,
the binoculars and a camera. The date of the document is June 15, 1945. At that date the 22nd Infantry was still undertaking
occupational duty in Germany, but had been notified that it would return to the United States in early July.

In typical Army fashion, Scheer's name is mis-spelled and the word "Luger" is also mis-spelled.
Note the matching serial number of the binoculars entered on the document.

Close up of the binoculars showing the nomenclature "Dienstglas" (Service Glasses), the size of 10 X 50
(10 power by 50mm objective lens), the serial number 367944, and the grid scale indication of H/6400.

Manufacturer's code indicates the binoculars were made by Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar, Germany,
and lubricant code indicating lubricant type 1416 which meant the optics were still effective
in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Celsius.

Scan from the 1946 yearbook for the 22nd Infantry Regiment showing part of Company E.
PFC William Scheer is on the bottom row, far left and marked with a red asterisk.

CPT Robert B. Moss Jr., Commanding Officer
Company E 22nd Infantry

His signature is on the capture papers (left)
indicating that he personally examined
the items of William Scheer and authorized
Scheer to bring the items back to the U.S.

Above: Headquarters 22nd Infantry General Orders Number 11 dated April 13, 1945
awarding the Combat Infantryman Badge to Private William D. Scheer of Company E
with an effective date of December 18, 1944.

While we don't have a record of when Scheer was assigned to the 22nd Infantry, this date of
December 18 is quite likely close to the date he was assigned. From December 3-16 the 22nd
Infantry was pulled back into Luxembourg for rest and refit. On December 16 the Battle of the
Bulge began when the Germans attacked. On December 17 the 2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry (including
Company E) was attached to the 12th Infantry in an attack over the next several days
in the area around Osweiler. Thus December 18 is most likely the first day that Scheer was
involved in ground combat.

Therefore it's a pretty good guess that Scheer was assigned to the 22nd Infantry during that
rest/refit time of December 3-16, 1944. If he had been assigned earlier then his CIB effective
date would have been before December 3 since from November 17 to December 3 the 22nd Infantry
was engaged in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest.

Above: Headquarters 22nd Infantry General Orders Number 13 dated April 20, 1945
awarding the Good Conduct Ribbon (Good Conduct Medal) to Private William D. Scheer of Company E.

The webmaster for 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry website applied to the National Personnel Records Center for a copy of
William Scheer's military records, only to find out that his records were lost in the fire of 1973. Further communication with the
National Archives determined that a copy of his final pay voucher could be obtained. However, that document was not applied for,
since it would give no new information other than what is already stated on this page.