Joseph Clifford Schooley Sr. was born on June 22, 1923, in Oplin, Callahan County, Texas. He was the son of Flavis Dillard "Dick" Schooley and Lona V. Holloway Schooley. He was married to L. G. Edmiston Schooley. He enlisted in the army at the age of 18. He served in the United States Army with the 740th Tank Battalion in World War II. Known as the “Daredevil Tankers”, the 740th was a separate battalion that fought from Utah Beach all the way to the Baltic Sea in support of various divisions of the US war effort.

Sgt Schooley died on February 12, 2003, and is now buried in the Eldorado Cemetery, Eldorado, Schleicher County, Texas, USA.

Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph C. Schooley (ASN: 38371436), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 740th Tank Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 4 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. When two tanks from his own platoon had been knocked out by German anti-tank fire which disabled his own, Corporal Schooley, tank gunner, dismounted and attacked the anti-tank gun. He crawled for 250 yards through intense small arms fire and approached the enemy weapon. He killed four of the crew and captured the fifth. Through his intense devotion to duty and gallant courage, Corporal Schooley eliminated a serious obstacle to the advance of our troops and enabled them to continue to the successful accomplishment of their mission. His conduct reflects great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, valor.militarytimes.com