15-year old Lawrence North sophomore Paul Mueller recently achieved his ranking of Eagle Scout with a project that memorializes a little-known piece of Lawrence history.

In 1921, Schoen Field was opened at Fort Harrison, which was then an Air Force base. It remained in service until it was closed during WWII, as the Fort was using the land for other uses.

Schoen Field was named for First Lieutenant Karl Schoen, a WWI Flying Ace who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  Killed in combat during the battles of the Meuse-Argonne, Schoen’s plane was shot down just minutes after he scored his last 2 victories. “For extraordinary heroism in action near Aincreville, France, 10 October 1918. While leading a patrol of three machines, Lt. Schoen sighted nine enemy planes (Fokker type) and immediately attacked them. Although greatly outnumbered he destroyed one of the planes and put the others to flight. He was killed in action 29 October 1918 and had been officially credited with destroying seven enemy aircraft.” DSC citation

Schoen2 SchoenfieldLongtime Boy Scout Mueller designed and built the memorial to Schoen and it is located near the NYSL soccer concession stand in Lawrence Park.

He was  awarded his Eagle Scout ranking in Dec. 2013.

What a great way for residents to learn a bit about Lawrence history.  For more on Lawrence history, watch for your February issue of Lawrence Community newsletter, in your mailbox around Feb. 3, 2014 and online at www.atlawrence.com

 

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