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Perch Base
Emil Schoonejans
Eternal Patrol
OBITUARY
Emil Joseph Schoonejans, TM2(SS)
Emil Joseph Schoonejans, TM2(SS)
World War 2 submarine veteran, Holland Club member and Perch Base Life member Emil Joseph Schoonejans
passed onto Eternal Patrol June 1, 2023, at age 98. Our condolences to his children Lynn, Laura and Mitch,
and grandchild Coral (Jon) Sololowski.
Emil was born February 24, 1925, in West Hoboken, New Jersey. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 at age 16, and immediately
went to work on submarine relief crews. He was later assigned as crew on the USS Burrfish (SS‑312) and
earned the War Patrol medal for participation in the Burrfish's 4th, 5th and 6th War Patrols in the South Pacific.
He returned to Pearl Harbor from the Burrfish's final War Patrol and then rode the Burrfish to Portsmouth Navy Yard
for a major overhaul, arriving June 19. 1945.
Emil then left the Navy on February 1, 1946.
Follow this LINK
to view a one-hour interview of Emil recorded by the "Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum."
Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.
Emil Joseph Schoonejans' first submarine, USS Salmon (SS‑182).
He was a relief crew member in 1943
Emil Joseph Schoonejans' second submarine, USS Drum (SS‑228).
He was a relief crew member in 1944
Emil Joseph Schoonejans' third submarine, USS Burrfish (SS‑312).
He rode the Burrfish on it's 4th, 5th and 6th War Patrols in 1944-1946.
Following his Submarine Service, Emil Joseph Schoolejans graduated from the Academy of
Aeronautics and launched a successful career in aviation as a flight cremember on TWA Constellations,
727's, and 747's. He was Director of Flight Training at JFK and a Member of the American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
He was also President of the U.S. Submarine Veterans WWII Runner Chapter in New York (SVWWII card #12737);
A Free Mason; Shriner of El Zaribah in Phoenix, AZ; and friend of St. John's Episcopal Church, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
Beloved husband of the late Edna (RN). Loving father of Lynn, Laura and Mitch. Cherished grandfather
of Coral (Jon) Sololowski. Emil loved home, family, woodworking, golf, swimming and being a friend
to all.
Regarding the Perch Base Submarine Veterans in Phoenix, AZ, Emil was awarded the Holland Club membership in May 2004 as shown in the photograph from our newsletter. He and Billy Grieves, another WWII submarine veteran who previously passed on Eternal Patrol were the Grand Marshals for the Anthem Daisy Mountain Veteran's Day Parade in 2008. Unfortunately we have no photos of that parade. The last Perch Base meeting Emil attended was in November 2015, then he returned to Huntington, New York, to be with familly.
Dave Harnish, USSVI Western Regional Director, inducts Emil Joseph Schoonejans into the Holland Club
for being quaified for 50 years or longer. As a new member, Emil received a Holland Club patch,
membership card, lapel pin, coffee mug, certificate, Perch Base patch and letter from Bill Britt
(President of the USSVI Holland Club. The existing Holland Club members are behind Emil & Dave.
A more recent photo from 2011.
A memorial service was held June 12, 2023.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.
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