One of eight children in his family, Harvey Schaffer served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He married his wife Eunice Hoemann in 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church in Banning, California, which was pastored by her father. He then entered Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois, while his wife worked as a nurse to support the family, and graduated in 1961. He attended the Chaplain School in New Rochelle, New York, and then attended Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he received his bachelors degree and was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1962. He pastored Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona, Kansas, and then Zion Lutheran Church in Victorville, California. Schaffer enlisted in the Army in 1966 and was commissioned as a chaplain in the same year, serving for 26 years until retiring in 1992.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Harvey Lee Schaffer, United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Schaffer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Chaplain on a combat mission in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Schaffer’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.