So is it correct that you need at least three months of validity on a passport to enter the Schengen area as non-Schengen passport holder (i.e., a USA issued passport). Some U.S. State Department websites say six months. So there is a conflict.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...s/index_en.htm

versus

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ngen_Area.html