Hans Schroeder

Template:Infobox character

Massive Spoiler Warning! Read at your own risk!

### Occupation

Soldier, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th “Yankee” Division, United States Army National Guard

## Physical Description

Schroeder has light blonde hair and green eyes. He wears round glasses and has freckles on his face. He is of average build if not on the skinny side. He has a common hairstyle for the time, just with a piece of hair sticking out from the combed back hair.

## Personality

Schroeder is described by the creator as friendly, studios and patriotic.

> When Schroeder is funny, he is very funny. When Schroeder is passionate, he is very passionate. And when Schroeder is annoyed. he is probably talking to Olsen.
>
>

-[1]

## Biography

### Pre-War

Hans Schroeder was born in Heidelberg, Germany (then German Empire) in 1893. He immigrated to the US at the age of 10 in 1903. Retaining his accent, when the war started, he knew it wasn’t the best to have. Intent on showing he was a true American, he was the first in his town to volunteer for service. I presume that Schroeder meet Elmer Olsen before the war as they seemed like great friends when they joined the training camp.

### Time at War

He was sent to train at New Haven, Connecticut where he meet Robert Conroy. Along with the two he meet a stray dog who followed Conroy into the base after he offered the dog a cookie on the street. Schroeder, and Conroy all warmed up to the dog, which Conroy named Stubby. After the 4-week training Stubby was meant to stay at the training camp but followed the trio into the boat sending them off to war. Stubby got to stay, much to Olsen dismay.

Once at the trench at the French town of Chemin Des Dames, Schroeder was made fun and a bit hated of for his German; birth, heritage and accent. He was called a “Boche” (Slang for a German, typically a German soldier) to this, Olsen told the French soldiers off saying Schroeder was a true American, and that they had no right to call him a Boche. While here they meet a French solider Gaston Baptiste, who took a liking to Stubby.

While here Conroy, Gaston, and Stubby went to spy on the Germans. Stubby came running back telling everyone to put on their gas mask. He then ran off to warn others. We can see the mustard gas getting fired into the air.

They then went to a safe zone which appears to be an old railway track. Here Olsen and Schroeder played a game of Pétanque. Olsen also played a Poker with one of the soldiers, gifting him the card deck.

In April of 1918 Schroeder, the Yankee Division and some French soldier were moved to Seicheprey, east of Chemin Des Dames. During a battle at Seicheprey, Schroeder was injured from a broken arm caused by a hand grenade that landed near him and Olsen. He was brought to a medical tent by Olsen where he and an injured Stubby (who saved Olsen and Schroeder from another blast).

They were later both later brought to a hospital somewhere south of Seicheprey. Both Schroeder and Stubby stayed with each other until Stubby ran off one day.

Schroeder returned to his friends, while they were boarding a freight train to Paris (for a visit not fighting). Olsen was delighted to see Schroeder was back and Schroeder was happy to see Stubby okay as he didn’t know what happened to the dog after he ran off. Olsen was mad and sad that Schroeder cared more about Stubby then him. Schroeder apologized and hugged Olsen, who returned the hug.

Once they arrived in Paris. Olsen ran off to follow two French women they saw on the street who giggled at Conroy, Olsen, and Schroeder. Schedule quickly went after him and joined the other woman. We are not sure what they did after as the story followed Conroy and Stubby, who did other things.

In September of 1918 t, the Quad had to return to battle in Marcheville. During this the Quad was told that the German army was retreating and the war was soon to end. Stubby found 3 hidden German spies which Conroy, Olsen and Schroeder right behind him.

After this Conroy was rewarded the rank of Corporal and Stubby the rank of honorary Sergeant. Olsen and Schroeder were both watching from the crowd.

A couple days after this the Quad meet Captain George S. Patton of the (newly formed) United States Tank Corps.

On November 10, 1918, the Yankee Division and Gaston were informed of the cease fire and end of war that was to happen the next day. Before dawn the Quad (and Gaston) all talked about what they hoped they would do after the was was over.

On November 11th, 1918 at 0900 (9am) the last stretch of the war happened. Stubby and Conroy fought tighter while Olsen and Schroeder fought away from them. During this time Olsen gun locked on itself and Schroeder gave him his gun to use while Schroeder fixed his gun. After this it’s presumed that Olsen and Schroeder got separated.

###### After the War

After the war ended and a ceasefire was called at 11am, Schroeder couldn’t find Olsen anywhere as he called his name and asked where he was. Stubby also looking around found Olsen helmet and gave it to Schroeder, which upon further inspection had a bullet dent in it signifying the fact that Olsen was dead. Schroeder looked heartbroken, sad and remorseful as he held the helmet to his chest, closing his eyes. Conroy and Gaston were seen a bit away, doing the same. Stubby was between them also looking down.

After this everyone was getting ready to return home. When about to leave Gaston said his goodbyes and a French solider said that Olsen gave him a deck of cards, and that he will remember him whenever playing poker. The soldier threw a cochonnet (also called a piglet or young pig) to Schroeder, the same one they were paying with earlier, during their game of Pétanque.

As the now Trio left the ship, Schroeder still looked heartbroken over the lost of his best friend, not staring anyone in the eyes until Conroy came over to put his hand around his soldier. He looked up and smiled before walking down the stairs of the boat. Stubby was placed onto a car by Captain Patton.

We see Schroeder one last time with one last shot of him next to Conroy and near Stubby, waving and smiling with a sad and content look in his eyes, before the picture of Stubby was taken, ending the movie.

## Sources

[1]

Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero