World War II veteran posthumously awarded ten service medals in Monterey by Congressman Panetta
Monterey >> Tribute was paid to another American serviceman in Monterey when U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade Corporal David Schultz was posthumously awarded 10 service medals on the steps of Monterey City Hall by Congressman Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, on Tuesday afternoon.
The fact the ceremony happened just days after the death of Sen. John McCain, another decorated veteran, was not lost on Panetta.
"... I think it's important to honor those who have served before us — who sacrificed," said Panetta. "That's why it's important to appropriately fly flags at half staff over our federal buildings. And it's appropriate to have this posthumous medal ceremony for another true American hero, Tech Corporal David Schultz."
The small ceremony was attended by some of Schultz's family; sons Arthur and Gary along with Arthur's wife Suzanne and daughter Krystell Finato, and Gary's son, David Schultz.
Panetta spoke of Sen. McCain as not just one who spoke up but one who stepped up to do the right thing. It was that understanding of putting nation before self that was evident in his life and also evident in the life of Tech Corporal Schultz, he said.
"... Unfortunately with only one percent of our men and women these days serving in the military, it's becoming uncommon," said Panetta, who himself served in the Navy.
Arthur Schultz said his father was quiet and easygoing. If he ever did talk about the war, it mostly started with a "war is hell" sentiment. The son said his mother once told him his father feared enemy capture the most.
Maybe that instinct of self-preservation was what drove him forward.
Arthur Schultz, Tech Corporal Schultz's oldest son, is a member of the World War II Museum in New Orleans and had visited the site numerous times. He said what compelled him to join was a speech by former Army General and 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"Andrew Higgins is the man who won the war for us," said Eisenhower in a 1964 interview. "If Higgins had not designed and built those LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel), we never could have landed over an open beach. The whole strategy of the war would have been different."
Tech Corporal Schultz and tens of thousands of other American soldiers were delivered to the beaches of Normandy in Higgins boats which were built in New Orleans.
A few years ago Arthur became more interested in not just his dad's service but the medals he should have obtained for his service. He asked the museum personnel how he would go about finding out more and they told him to ask his congressman. Panetta's office became involved and found that some of the handwritten paper records on Schultz were burned in a record-keeping facility fire in 1973.
"We didn't have many of the details as to why Tech Corp Schultz was not presented these medals but fortunately Marina (Perepelyuk, a Panetta aide) was able to find his discharge from the military," said Panetta. "And that provided enough information for today's military to accept, and then honor, Tech Corporal Schultz with the medals" that he earned.
And earn Tech Corporal Schultz did.
"Now Tech Corporal Schultz clearly, clearly had that sense of service ingrained in him. He was part of what we call the ‘Greatest Generation,'" said Panetta. "But like most of that generation, Tech Corporal Schultz did not talk about his time in the military that much, did not brag about it, did not seek the accolades for his service in the military."
Panetta said based on Schultz's time in the military during World War II, "he is the type of guy, truly, who is that Forest Gump character in the sense that everything he did could be a movie."
Schultz enlisted in the Army in February 1941, served as an infantry combat medic and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina before going overseas. He served in the North African Campaign during which he was once buried alive in a foxhole when a bomb exploded nearby and his troop members had to pull him out.
Schultz went on to serve in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, the largest amphibious assault ever. It was during that invasion that Schultz saved the life of an officer. The Tech Corporal went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge which took place from Dec. 1944 to Jan. 1945 and was termed the largest and bloodiest clash that was ever fought by the U.S. in WWII.
"Remarkably, Tech Corporal Schultz survived the battles and was honorably discharged on Aug. 13, 1945," said Panetta. "... There were only two members of Tech Corporal Schultz's unit that survived the war and Schultz was one of those two. In 1977 he passed at the young age of 55 years old."
Panetta presented the medals Tech Corporal Schultz earned to his sons Arthur and Gary. The Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement for the Normandy Invasion incident where he saved the officer's life, the Purple Heart with one bronze oak leaf cluster which signifies two purple hearts for the North African foxhole incident and for being shot in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. The WWII Victory Medal for having served between Dec. 7, 1941 and Dec. 31, 1946. The American Defense Service Medal for active duty between Sept. 8, 1939 and Dec. 7, 1941. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars and one silver star.
"What they represent are each of the campaigns that Schultz took part in. There were 16 campaigns recognized in WWII and he served in nine of those, with one being the Medal itself, five being represented by the silver star and three being represented by the three bronze stars," explained Panetta.
A Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active federal military service, Marksmanship Badges for rifle at the marksman level and for pistol at the expert level were also awarded. He also earned the Combat Medical Badge for performing medical duties while being engaged by the enemy and the Honorable Service Lapel Button awarded to service members discharged under honorable conditions during WWII.
"He was just a decent guy," Arthur Schultz said of his father. "I know it sounds trite but he never said anything disparaging about anybody."
Arthur lives in Monterey and has a place of honor in his home to display the medals just awarded to his father.
"There's a piece of furniture my mom bought when dad was coming home," said Schultz. "It's a desk she bought in 1945 where we keep his picture."
Monterey Mayor Clyde Roberson, City Manager Hans Uslar, Defense Language Institute Commandant Colonel Gary Hausman as well as Presidio of Monterey Garrison Commander Colonel Greg Ford also were on hand for the ceremony.
