William Lee Schwartz

West Point, 1959

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Matt Kuskie on December 8, 2014:

The world must now say farewell to a giant of a man, and far too soon. Bill Schwartz was a close personal friend and mentor to me since I was a 19-year-old Yearling. I am 35 now. There have been three men in my life who have had a deep, positive, and lasting impact on my development. Bill was one of them. My father was another. Throughout the many years I had the great pleasure of knowing Bill, he was always there to share a laugh, war game a problem with me, and to provide encouragement as I dealt with the challenges presented by West Point, combat, and life. He was a man for all seasons. I do not think I will ever again meet someone who is such a remarkable combination of wit, intellect, character, and compassion. Of all of his fine qualities, I will remember Bill the most for his generosity. He never stopped serving. I am only one of countless formerly- and currently-serving officers who Bill helped mold, giving freely of his time and energy, even when his health was failing him. Bill was fond of invoking Ranger and Infantry sayings to rally his friends when they needed encouragement. If he saw me crying now, as I am as I type these words, he would say, "Drive On!" And, so that is what we must do. But, I will never stop missing him, and I hope he opens the gates for the rest of us to Heaven, Valhalla, or wherever it is they send happy warriors when their bodies break before their spirits. Grip Hands, Matt Kuskie

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