“For those who fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.”
These words were often shared by local Vietnam veteran Tony Schutty who served with distinction in the 75th Infantry Long Range Recon Patrol (lerps) in 1968-69. Tony lost his short but valiant battle with cancer Sunday surrounded by his family and friends.
I was fortunate to have known him throughout most of my life. He was the guy who we young vets wanted to imitate, and his chest full of ribbons was one we all wanted to duplicate. Fortunately, most of us never earned those ribbons or had to see and experience what Tony did. His service in the Lerps often meant days without sleep. He told me one time the enemy would sometimes be so close to them during night patrols you could smell their sweat. Two thirds of their missions created contact with the enemy forces and the simple snap of a twig could create mass chaos and intense firefights. All but five of his 365 day tour were spent in the jungle. Intense situations and loss of his friend’s lives took quite a toll on Tony and he carried that until his final days. I struggled to find proper words to explain just who Tony was and why he was who he was. I believe the following paragraphs written by Tony’s company commander explain more than mere words on paper can actually describe.
“Staff Sgt Schutty served as patrol leader on innumerable patrols. His concern for his men and his professionalism in accomplishing each and every mission marked him as the patrol leader that everyone wanted to be with. The countless firefights, each worse than the last against almost always numerically superior forces, took a heavy toll on all the patrol members, none more than the patrol leader. After one or two days of rest the patrols would be alerted to go out again, their losses, where necessary, having been replaced.
Even as platoon Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Schutty had no rest. He would assist in the training and the selection of the patrols for the upcoming missions. He would be required to accompany the patrol leader on the aerial reconnaissance of the patrols assigned area and then accompany the patrol to the insertion point. More often than not to be greeted by enemy ground fire. He took each loss personally. As if it was within his power to have stopped the maiming and killing. He was a good soldier. A rare individual who carried a very heavy burden on his shoulders.” Captain George Paccerelli, U.S. Army
Tony flew to Washington, D.C. on the 2011 Freedom Flight. I sat next to him on a bench near the Vietnam Wall and asked if he was OK and if there was anything I could do for him. He spoke to me but gazed out at the wall and said, “Promise me one thing. Promise me you will never let them forget what we did over there. What they did over there (pointing to the wall). Don’t ever let their sacrifices be forgotten” as tears rolled down both of our cheeks I quietly stated “We won’t forget them or you Tony, I promise.”
I can only imagine the homecoming he received. Dressed in his jungle fatigues. All of his buddies, McWilliams and others giving Tony his own “gathering of Eagles” as they bear hugged once again and shouted “welcome home brother, welcome home.” Oh what a sight that would have been. Fly high soldier. Until we meet again.
Doug Bishop is a veterans activist in Jasper County. He helped coordinate the Jasper County Freedom flights to Washington, D.C. and currently chairs the Jasper County Veterans memorial committee and serves on the
National Association of Counties
Veterans Affairs Committee.