In Memory of Army Sgt.
Glynn Arnold Schjodt
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Minnehaha County
February 19, 1915 – June 24, 1944
Killed in Action in Normandy
Glynn Arnold Schjodt was born on a farm four miles North of Sioux Falls on February 19, 1915 to Peter and Emily Schjodt. Glynn was the youngest of three brothers, Lawrence and Edwin. He attended Minnehaha County rural schools with his brothers. Glynn never went to high school. His hobbies included playing the accordion in a band with his brothers and some friends, playing with his pet rabbit Snowball, playing the card game “casino” with his grandfather, and just having fun. Glynn grew up to be a farmer. He was never married and never had any children.
Glynn volunteered to enter the army on June 30, 1932. He completed basic training at Camp Wheeler in Georgia. He served in the ninth infantry division as a sergeant. Upon completing his basic training, Glynn was sent overseas to Africa in the fall of 1942. He was wounded during a battle in Africa and was hospitalized for a month. After recovering, Glynn was sent to Italy for a brief period, then he went to England to train for the invasion of France. Later, he was sent to Normandy where he was killed in action, during the invasion of France, on June 24, 1944.
The circumstances surrounding Glynn’s death were unexpected. Glynn was a platoon sergeant at the time, and was leading his platoon through Normandy. He became wounded, and when two of his men went to help him, they were all killed by an artillery shell. Glynn’s father received a telegram from the War Department notifying him of Glynn’s death. Later Glynn’s buddy’s mom sent Glynn’s father the letter telling how Glynn had died. The family still has the letter. The letter said that the men in the platoon “would have followed him to hell and back.” That’s how much Glynn meant to them. Even though Glynn died in June, the family had no word until September.
Glynn Schjodt is buried at Plot E, Row 22, Grave 28, Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France. There is a grave marker for Glynn in the Berg cemetery. For his duties, he received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster along with the other medals he had already received throughout his time in the Army. He is survived by his brothers, Lawrence and Edwin who live in Sioux Falls, SD. Glynn will always be remembered for what he did for our country. He was a brave, young man who lost his life for us to have the freedom we have today. Thank you ,Glynn.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Kendra Wilson and Katherine Puetz, Juniors, Roosevelt High School, Sioux Falls, SD, April 25, 2002, Thank you to Lawrence, Edwin, and Merle Schjodt, Sioux Falls, SD, brothers and cousin, and Steve Schjodt, Hot Springs, SD, cousin (Merle’s) son.
