Alexander Schobel

Alexander Schobel served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1955, reaching the highest rank of Aviation Storekeeper 2nd Class. He is the recipient of the Navy Occupation Medal and National Defense Medal.

Schobel was born in January 1932, in Bronx, New York and grew up in an orphanage with his half-brother James. While still in high school, Schobel enlisted in the US Navy, explaining that World War II had instilled a strong sense of patriotism in his generation. 

After high school and Basic Training, Schobel was stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois, where he worked as clerk for Company 592. He was then assigned to the USS Tarawa, which he boarded in Providence, Rhode Island before setting sail for the Mediterranean Sea. On the USS Tarawa, Schobel was an aircraft mechanic for the AD-2, granting him the title of Plane Captain. His job was to check and maintain various parts of the plane, including the oil, gas, hydraulics, instruments, and brakes. His job could be dangerous though, as plane captains were also required to remove the chocks from the aircraft before they took off. Schobel explained that three men died from being caught in the propeller of an aircraft while removing the chocks. Additionally, he recalled that the fighter planes would conduct mock bombing and strafing runs, while the ship’s company would use drones for target practice. After his time on the USS Tarawa, Schobel served land duty in Virginia before setting sail on the USS Coral Sea.

Between the USS Tarawa and the USS Coral Sea, Schobel served all over the world, including in Algeria, France, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey. He recalled that the onset of the Cold War was evident, as Soviet submarines and planes would often tail the ships he was on, monitoring the activity and capabilities of US ships and fighter planes. Schobel also described that American soldiers were often well received in European countries following the conclusion of World War II.

Schobel recounted that he enjoyed life on a ship, stating, “It was a major adventure in life.” He relished the ability to meet new people with diverse backgrounds and disciplines, explaining that it created a “new family” for him. Schobel was also accustomed to a structured life from his time in the orphanage, so military life wasn’t a difficult adjustment.

While stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois, Schobel met his wife, Patty. Shortly after meeting her, he left on the USS Tarawa for close to a year but kept her photo in his locker. Schobel recalled, “All I could do was think about Patty.” The two got married in 1953 and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was discharged from the Navy. Following his time in service, Schobel worked as a salesman during the day, and took night classes at Iona College to get his bachelor’s degree in Business. He later pursued a master’s degree from New York University.

Alexander Schobel and Patty Schobel had four children and were married for sixty-six years before Patty passed away on October 7, 2019.