Chaplain Dayle Schnelle, Protestant Chaplain
Source: Robert Bletscher, 2011
Robert Dayle Schnelle was born July 30, 1916 to Robert Wesley and Wava Ann Davis Schnelle in Sharon, Barber County, Kansas. He preferred to be called by his middle name and even alternately reported his name to be Dayle Robert Schnelle. Dayle’s father Robert was born March 17, 1884 in Lemons, Missouri. Dayle’s mother Wava was born August 9, 1884 in Kansas.
In the 1920 Federal census record, the Schnelle family lived on a farm in Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas. The family consisted of father Robert (33), who was a farmer, mother Wava (33), sister Dorene (8), sister Florence (7), Dayle (3), and brother Floyd (2). On October 5, 1920, Dayle’s mother Wava gave birth to twins, Fred and Phillip Davis Schnelle. Four days later, on October 9, Wava and baby Fred died.
In the 1930 Federal census record, the Schnelle family lived in Sharon, Barber County, Kansas. The family consisted of Dayle’s father Robert (45), who was a farmer, step-mother Emma (36), sister Dorene L. (18), sister Florence M. (16), Dayle, listed as Robert D. Jr. (13), and brother Floyd R. (12). Although Ancestry.com records indicate that Dayle’s younger brother, surviving twin Phillip, lived until 2003, Phillip is not listed on the 1930 census. Sometime between 1920 and 1930, Robert remarried. (Note the discrepancy in Robert’s age: if he was 33 in 1920, he should have been 43 in 1930).
Chaplain Dayle Schnelle, Protestant Chaplain
Source: Robert Bletscher, 2011
From at least 1935 to 1938 Dayle was a student at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He likely also attended Phillips in 1934 or 1939, but I do not see a record for those years.
In 1940, Dayle lived in Pratt, Pratt County, Kansas and was minister of the Christian Church.
Sometime between 1940 and 1942, Dayle married Mildred J. “Suzy” Riley. Suzy was born April 3, 1920 in Fowler, Meade, Kansas.
In 1942, Suzy gave birth to her and Dayle’s son, Robert Dayle Schnelle, Jr. That same year, Dayle Sr. enlisted in the Army on September 27, 1942. He would serve as a Protestant Chaplain of the Army Air Forces.
According to 384th Bomb Group records, Dayle Schnelle was Presbyterian and came from the 33rd SCS, which was under the sub-depot. He was an original chaplain to the group and served with them until the end of the war. He was released from the service on November 24, 1945.
During Dayle’s tenure with the 384th, he had occasion to write an MIA (Missing in Action) letter to my grandmother.
MIA letter to Ed Farrar’s mother
The text of the letter reads:
October 9, 1944
Headquarters
384th Bombardment Group
APO 557 c/o P.M., N.Y.Mrs. Raleigh Mae Farrar
79 East Lake Terrace, N.E.,
Atlanta GeorgiaDear Mrs. Farrar:
May I, as Chaplain of the 384th Bombardment Group, personally, and pursuant to the request of the Commanding General, Eighth Air Force, and in behalf of the Group Commander, express to you our deepest and heartfelt concern regarding your son, S/Sgt. George E. Farrar, 14119873, who is reported as missing in action.
I am well aware of the worry and anxiety which is yours. May I assure you that you will be notified immediately should any further word concerning your son be received. May I urge you to remember that you should in no wise consider your son as dead. It is highly possible that he may yet escape or is being held a prisoner of war. In either case it will be some time before any word will be received concerning him. May I add that your concern is our concern, not only of this group, but also of the entire Air Force as well.
There is no other information that I can give other than you have already received from the War Department, except, that all mail and packages will be returned to the sender. May I assure you that I believe that our God still answers prayers. I promise that I shall remember him continuely before God as I know that you are also doing. I firmly believe that the hand of God still guides the destiny of His children. May your faith in the ultimate triumph of God’s will give you courage, strength, and grace to meet the burden of this hour of uncertainty.
Sincerely,
Dayle R. Schnelle,
Chaplain
Because of a world war, Dayle was not able to watch his young son grow up in the first three years of his life. Then two years after the end of Dayle’s service, his son Robert Dayle, Jr. died on November 8, 1947. Dayle Jr. is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Pratt, Pratt County, Kansas.
From at least 1949 to 1954, Dayle and Suzy lived in Arkansas City, Kansas. He was minister of the Central Christian Church. On April 2, 1951, Dayle and Suzy were blessed with a second son, David Michael Schnelle.
Over the next forty years, Dayle and Suzy lived in other parts of the country including Great Bend, Kansas and Colorado. Dayle lost his father, Robert Wesley Schnelle, on July 6, 1970 in Medicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas.
Chaplain Dayle Schnelle, Protestant Chaplain
Source: Robert Bletscher, 2011
In the 1990’s Dayle and Suzy lived in Alvin, Texas. Their son David was also living in Alvin, Texas when he died on March 3, 1993. Dayle had outlived both of his sons.
A year and a half later, Dayle Schnelle died on September 10, 1994 in Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas. He is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Pratt, Pratt County, Kansas.
Suzy died on December 6, 2014 in Alvin, Texas.
Thank you to Keith Ellefson, 384th Bomb Group Researcher and Combat Data Specialist, for contributing to this story.
© Cindy Farrar Bryan and The Arrowhead Club, 2017
The Arrowhead Club 