Final Farewell

Partners:

• Vets for Victory
• Military Appreciation Day
• Army Paratrooper
• Patriot Guard Riders

 

[4/9Cheerleader]

 
Pfc. Phillip E. Schuster
I always thought my Step Dad was cool. He was quick to take us in and accept us as his kids. But, it was not until his death did I find out he was so much more. Dad Schuster was one of the original members of Merrill’s Marauders. My brother just forwarded me the requested info:

Dear Capt Moody,
    Thank you for your service and your help in keeping America free.
    Thank you for the information on your step-father, Pfc. Phillip E. Schuster. Without your notice I would have no other way of knowing. I am not sure how much you know of Phillip's service with the Marauders, here is a short account of his involvement.
    Your Step Father Pfc. Phillip E. Schuster, ASN: 37086936, I Company, 3rd Battalion, Orange Combat Team, was one of the heroes, that served with Composite Unit 5307th Provisional (Merrill's Marauders). He was one of a brave group of men that answered the Presidents call and volunteered for a dangerous and hazardous secret jungle warfare mission that expected more then 90% casualties.
    He started out with the Marauders from the beginning and went through all the suffering that comes with being deep behind enemy lines and consistently in active jungle combat for more then 110 continuous days. During this operation, he fought recurrent Malaria, deadly Mite Typhus, Amoebae Dysentery, constant Diarrhea, Malnutrition and Complete Exhaustion, all in addition to the best the Japanese had.
    He went through all of the hell that a soldier can possible experience. No other unit, before or since, ever consistently fought behind enemy lines under such difficult conditions or for so long and so successful. He endured what was believed to be humanly unendurable and yet he still performed beyond expectation.
    He is and always will be an American Hero among Heroes. He earned, among other possible medals: The Combat Infantryman Badge, effective 20 February 1944, The Presidential Unit Citation and The Bronze Star Medal, for exemplary service against an armed enemy.
    His action and that of the Marauders was so outstanding, that it set the stage for the present day 75th Rangers, who in turn took our heritage. Being a Marauder, means, that your Step Father Pfc. Phillip E. Schuster, is a Ranger.
     It is my solemn duty to add the name of your Step Father Pfc. Phillip E. Schuster, to our Pass in Review Memorial Page, where we honor our fallen Heroes.
   
Sincerely.
Robert E. Passanisi, Historian
Merrill's Marauders Association

Webpage: http://marauder.org

Dad Schuster Died on January 11, 2009 and was buried in Cody Wyoming on January 16, 2009.  The VFW was the Honor Guard at the memorial Service.  He was a real American Hero and a Great Dad. We will miss his fantastic sense of humor and genuine love for us kids and this Nation.

[dottie]

RIP 

[vftb]

 

[BuoyJumper]

Sorry to hear of his passing.  Condolences to you and your family.

[debk]

 


Hugs to you are your family, Cindy. 

[hammar]

With deepest regards and appreciation...........

[1110]

Condolences to your family. 

[Salba]

 

Fair winds and following seas!

My condolences to you and your family.

Best Wishes & Godspeed

[LTGunner]

 

[Jack]

 

[The Tinker]

Farewinds and Following Seas
Condolences to you and your family


 

[JerryM]

                             

[EX-CG-GM]

 

[4/9Cheerleader]

My Mom passed away New year's Eve and I just went back home to attend her funeral and help pack up her belongings.

It was very tough on all of us... But, I found some unexpected treasures. A WWII pic of my Step-Dad and a shoe box full of letters that he received from various people while he was over seas ~ 1942-1944. (Including time spent in hospitals in Bombay and Australia)

There were also telegrams and old Army pamphlets and a set of orders. There were also two old military issued risque joke books and a "Anne the Malaria Mosquito" pamphlet that looks like it is written and illustrated in Dr. Seuss fashion.

... and his little black book full of ladies addresses.   

It is fascinating to see it all... even the "Support the War" 3 cent postage stamps. I have over 50 letters to read over. He took the time to write on the back of each envelope the day that he responded to each individual letter. Some were marked that they had been opened by censors before passed on to him.

I wish I had some of the letters that he sent back. But, this is still beyond heartwarming to find.

[BuoyJumper]

Sorry to hear of your mom passing Cindy.  Condolences to your family.  Sounds like you've unearthed some treasures of your step-dad's.  I know when my mom passed I found WWII ration books, a program for the Rigling Bros Circus from 1927 and a host of other things including three very rare Curtis Wright WWII lithographs of U.S. Army planes.