Born Oct. 13, 1921 in Woodbury, NJ, as the first son to
George A. Shenkle, Sr. and L. Pauline Gilmour, he attended various schools during the Great Depression, graduating in 1939 from Eisenhower High School, enlisting in the US Army in late 1943.
He volunteered for the Paratroops, attached to the 82nd Airborne Division, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was part of the World War II Normandy invasion of June 6, 1944, targeting the St. Mere Eglise region. Additionally, he was part of Operation Market Garden in Holland in September, 1944.
Dad received the Purple Heart, having been wounded during the Battle of The Bulge in December of that same year. His troop transport, a C-47, has been fully restored and is on display at the Air Force Museum at Dover AFB in Delaware.
Upon returning to the states, he married Dolores A.R. Conver on May 20, 1946, (deceased Dec. 9, 2005), they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
He returned to work at Alan Wood Steel Co. / Penco products, having spent 47 years there. During his career, he attended Wharton School of Finance (University of Pennsylvania), graduating with an Associates Degree in Accounting. He was a member of Central Schwenkfelder Church, Worcester, PA.
Mom and Dad were establishing members of the Central Montgomery County 4-H Horse and Pony
Club during the 50’s, serving on the Foundation, which was instrumental in acquiring the present day property in Creamery, PA. George could be found most typically in the announcer’s booth during a show at the show grounds, doing one of his favorite things in life, spending time with children. He wrote a book, describing his life and wartime activities, “My Clear Conscience”, the sale proceeds to benefit the Montgomery County 4-H organization.
He is survived by 2 sisters, Barbara J. Shenkle of Audubon, PA., Carol Shenkle Frick, Pottstown, PA; 4 children, David L. Shenkle, Doylestown, PA., Peter G. Shenkle, Collegeville, PA., Rebecca J. Goff, Hatboro, PA, Victoria A. Brinkman, Trappe, PA., and William G. Shenkle (deceased), 10 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Interment in Riverside Cemetery, Norristown, PA. Services are private.
[Raffeo-Dicecco Memorial Home, Inc.] |
[courtesy of "catncamo"]
Grave marker for George and Dolores Shenkle in
Riverside Cemetery, Norristown (Montgomery county), Pennsylvania.
George registered for the draft in Lower Providence
(Montgomery), PA on 16 February 1942 ands was inducted into the Army at
Philadelphia, PA on 29 October 1942.
George volunteered for parachutist duty ad was
assigned to company E, 508th
Pfc Shenkle was promoted to Cpl on 20 November 1944.
Cpl Shenkle was wounded in action on 27 December 1944.
the WWII Hospital Admission Card Files [1942-1954] state that his wound
was in the "Upper extremity: Scapular region; Causative Agent: Bullet,
Rifle."
He was returned to duty on 1 February 1945 and was
discharged from the Army on 7 November 1945.
On18 January 1950, George submitted this application
for the Pennsylvania WWII Veterans Bonus. He was credited with 14
months of domestic duty and 22 months of foreign service yielding a $470
bonus. |
