Lt. Col. Schinz, Well Known Ottawa Army Pilot, To Wed

Albert William Schinz was born on February 27, 1919 to parents Fred Emil Schinz and Mabel Mae Hindle. He had siblings including Alvira Mable Schinz (1910-1992), Bernice Irene Schinz (1913-1938), Oliver F. Schinz (1914-1991), Shirley Schinz (1916-2014), and Dorothy Schinz (1918-1957). He was born, raised, and lived in Ottawa, La Salle, Illinois. He enlisted into the US military in 1940 and was stationed at Smoky Hill AAF Base in Salina, Kansas. He served as a Major General commanding 12th in the US Air Force. Lt. Col. Schinz was well-known throughout La Salle County, his hometown, for his heroic service with the Army Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He distinguished himself in combat against the Japanese, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Air Medal. In 1946, he married Mildred Lorraine/Lorayne Ranee Hinkson (1924–2014) in Ottawa, IL. Read their engagement announcement at Lt. Col. Schinz, Well Known Ottawa Army Pilot, To Wed. In 1952, he went missing after leading a flight deep into enemy territory. See more at Air Hero's Family. Albert Schinz passed away on January 18, 1985 in Destin, FL.