Second Lieutenant Schoonover was the pilot of a B-26B Invader bomber with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Wing. On 8 June 1952, while on a night intruder mission, the aircraft suffered engine failure during take-off and crashed into the Yellow Sea about two miles from the end of the runway. His remains were recovered.

Schoonover was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.