Duane Charles Schue passed two days after being admitted to the hospital for complications related to pneumonia on the late morning of Tuesday, September 18 and is now with his Savior Jesus in Heaven. Duane was born on January 4, 1925 in Grand Forks, South Dakota to Mr. & Mrs. John J. Schue. He graduated from High School in 1943 and entered the Army shortly thereafter. Duane was selected to ACTP (Advanced College Training Program) at Purdue University. The group was later assigned to The 20th Armored Division, Combat Command R (CCR): Reserve Command, 27th Tank Battalion, 70th Armored Infantry Battalion, 414th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. Mr. Schue was specifically assigned to the 414th as an Advanced Artillery Spotter. The 20th Armored Division was activated on 15 March 1943 at Camp Campbell in Kentucky. Until October 1944, the 20th Armored Division's mission was to train soldiers and qualify them for overseas shipment as replacements for armored units. To perform this mission, the Division included in its strength an unusually large number of intelligent and highly trained men, including students from several of the Army's advanced college training programs (ACTP).
Actual arrival of the 20th Armored Division into combat occurred 4–9 April 1945. The division's armored field artillery battalions (the 412th, 413th, and 414th), with elements of the 33rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, moved up to the west bank of the Rhine River to support the 101st Airborne Division near Delhoven, Germany, and the 82nd Airborne Division across the river from Hitdorf, Germany. The Division reconnoitered for routes to the Danube River and led the attack to capture the town of Donauwörth on the 25th to secure the crossing of the Danube. The success of the operation prompted Lt. Col. Donald E. Downard, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Infantry (42nd Infantry Division) who had witnessed more than 25 months of combat, to state: "I have never seen a more aggressive Armored unit."
Elements of the 20th Armored Division, along with elements of the U.S. Seventh Army's 45th (Thunderbird) and 42nd (Rainbow) Infantry Divisions, participated in the liberation of Dachau concentration camp on 29 April 1945. Infantry Battalions, and the 412th and 414th Armored Field Artillery Battalions, took part in the unfolding process of discovery and liberation of the camp at the time.
Duane was a true American Hero, serving as a Master Sargent, often behind German lines, putting his life in harm’s way on several occasions to help in the fight for democracy.
After his honorable discharge in 1946, Duane graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BS in Civil Engineering. Duane then progressed through positions of higher authority during 29 years with Montgomery Ward and 8 years with Walmart Retail Corporation, eventually serving as the VP of Construction for all new Walmart Stores in the SW Region, drawing on his background in Construction Sciences.
Duane is survived by his loving wife, Agnes Milacek Bianco and her daughter Janine Burns of McKinney, TX, son-in-law, James Michael Burns and grandchildren, Samantha, Regan, Jamie, Erin and Blake; and her 3 sons: Stephen Bianco of San Antonio, TX, daughter-in-law Debbie and grandchildren Jarrod and Alyssa; Michael Bianco of San Antonio, TX and children Jessica, James Michael and Jordan; and Chris Bianco of McKinney, TX and daughter-in-law Ellen and grandchildren Lauren, Sarah and Nicholas.
Duane is also survived by his beloved Brother, Jerry Schue, niece Holly, son Mark and his wife Beth and other relatives.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 27 from 10:00 to 11:00 am followed by a Service at 11:00 am at the Custer Road United Methodist Church 6601 Custer Rd, Plano, TX 75023 Phone: (972) 618-3450.
Later, his burial will be with honors at 2:00 PM at the DFW Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.
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