Private Schlenker was a medic with the Clearing Company, 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. On 14 August 1952, he drowned while swimming in the Han-Tan River near Chong-Gong-ni, North Korea.

Schlenker was awarded the Combat Medical Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.