Mike with his dad, Clarence 1960
Michael J. Schurer was born June 25, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest son of Clarence J. "Bud" and Mary D. Schurer. In 1942 the family moved to a farm west of Charter Oak, Iowa. He attended Catholic School until 1949 when the family moved to Manning, and continued his education in the Manning Public Schools. He graduated Manning High School in 1960.
Thirteen days after graduation (June 7, 1960) Mick left for the US Navy heading to Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois. After completing basic training (August 19, 1960) he was transferred to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland (September 4, 1960). While there he worked/trained in boat maintenance, diesel engine rebuilding and training on piloting and became certified on various types of boats. On October 14, 1961, he was transferred to the USS Nitro AE-23, an ammunition ship.
He worked as a diesel mechanic and machinist reaching the rank of Engineman Third Class (E-4). While on the USS Nitro he was sent to the Mediterranean Sea, and saw many different countries: including Morocco, Italy, Spain, France, Sicily, Greece, Crete, and several other smaller countries and islands. They made a stop at the Azores Islands on the way back to the US.
When Mick returned to Norfolk, Virginia, for repairs to the ship he was sent to the Caribbean to practice war time maneuvers with other war ships and the Marines.
Next he was given orders to go to the ammunition piers in New Jersey to unload munitions. Mick received additional orders to head to Germany and England on a special mission for the US Air Force. Upon his return to the US Mick was ordered to head to the Caribbean again, this time to become part of the Cuban Blockade. The Cuban Missile Crisis began October 15, 1962, and ended October 28, 1962, saving the US from a possible nuclear war.
When the blockade was called off Mick returned to the home port of Davisville, Rhode Island. After the blockade in October Mick returned to sea to practice replenishment exercises with other ships.
On January 22, 1963, he transferred to the USS Lookout AGR-2, an old Liberty Ship from the Second World War that had been converted to a Radar Picket Ship. The mission of these ships was to go on station along the east coast and stay on alert going around in circles running their Radar and Sonar. Mick noted: "The cold war and the worry of possible attack was very much on the minds of most Americans."
Mick was released from active duty status on May 7, 1963, with the rank of Engineman Third Class EN3.
Michael located to Lawrence, Kansas, where his wife and baby were living. Later he took a job in Kansas City, Missouri, with the Atomic Energy Commission. Since he had a very high security clearance in the Navy that made him a perfect match for the job. He was assigned to a project sponsored by President Kennedy and even after the president's death, Mick continued to work on it. This project continues today in a much different form due to the changes in technology.
Mick left that position and worked for Kenworth and KW Dart as a diesel mechanic and machinist. After a short while he moved back to Lawrence, Kansas, where he had the opportunity to work in a printing/publisher firm. He also took some classes at Kansas University. After working in the printing industry he ended his career after 40 years. Technology changed many times during those years and it was always a challenge to keep up with it. Looking back at all those changes is what made it interesting and never just a job for Mick.
Michael lost his wife of 41 years on September 9, 2002, to cancer after a long five-year fight with that terrible disease. Mick retired on January 5, 2005, and is still living in Lawrence, Kansas. Mick has a grown daughter and son; also four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mick's brother, Greg and their father, Clarence also served in the military.