I found a black and white picture of a smiling young man and young women. It is a formal picture. "Who is this man?" I wonder. I know the woman is my mom -- I see her every day, but who is the man? I ask and am told "that is your daddy." "Oh, but where is he, why isn't he here?" "Because your daddy was killed in the war before you were born." So who is that man in the picture? These are the things I have learned since joining AWON. His name is Alfred Schuler. He goes by Fred and is the youngest son in a family of 13 whose parents are Joseph and Rosa Schuler. Fred was born in Alberta, Canada on October 16, 1918. The family immigrated to Tacoma Washington and he became a citizen of the United States on March 26, 1929. He attended the following schools in Tacoma, Washington, Manitou Grade School, Robert Gray Junior High and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1936. Fred enlisted in the Navy Reserve on April 21, 1941 and was called to active duty August 25, 1941 as a Pharmacist Mate 2nd class. Fred married Marie Palmer on June 28, 1941. Fred and Marie set up residence in Bremerton, Washington where both worked in the Naval Hospital. Six months later Fred was transferred to San Diego, California and attached to the Second Marines, Reinforced, FMF, Rear Echelon. He landed on Guadalcanal in August of 1942. He was killed in battle November 10, 1942 while assisting his fellow soldiers. I was born the following January. Fred's body was never recovered. He received a President's Commendation and Purple Heart. His name is on the Tablets at the Manila American Cemetery.

I have been told that my daddy was a very carrying person. He refused to let a cousin sit at home, due to polio, and would take her out to the beach when all the cousins were there. If the brothers and sisters went out dancing, he made sure she was included in the activities. He liked to fish, I have a picture of him smiling and holding a string of fish. I have asked my aunts and cousins what daddy was like as a person and a young man. The information has not been forth coming. I did learn that when a smaller cousin was knocked off the dock my dad jumped in and saved her. He was also a caddy and liked to golf. Sadly, there aren't any other details that have been shared with me.

The path that Fred chose shows he had dreams for the future. I hope I have accomplished some of his dreams. I miss my daddy. When I look at his picture I wonder, do I look like him? How often I have wished he was here when I was growing up! I wish I could have crawled up in his lap and gotten a hug or words of encouragement. I wonder if he would be proud of me and my accomplishments. I do miss him and the guidance I would have received from him and the father he could have been. I hope someday that my daddy's remains are found and I can bring him home and have him buried in his home state.