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William A. Shuster II ’48 No. 16577 25 Oct 1925 – 19 Nov 1957 Died in West Haven, CT Interred in West Point Post Cemetery, West Point, NY William Alvin Shuster II was born in Templeton, PA, the son of Alvin R. and Gaynelle B. Shuster. At an early age, Bill moved with his family to Sharon, PA, where he and his sister Lois attended elementary school and high school. Bill was an excellent student. Beyond his academic endeavors, one of his favorite activities was fencing, practicing with Lois as his partner. After graduating from high school in 1943, Bill completed two semesters at Pennsylvania State University before entering the U.S. Military Academy in July 1944, filling an appointment from the 29th District of Pennsylvania. At West Point, Bill’s natural physical ability and his sound academic preparation enabled him to adapt easily to the strenuous cadet life. As a plebe, he maintained a comfortable academic standing and went out for football, fencing, and track. For four years, he continued to star as a member of the fencing team. In tough matches, he assured his success by using glasses he borrowed from a companymate, having avoided acquiring a pair of his own. He captained the USMA fencing team his First Class year. Their win against Navy was a signal victory, and for many years, Bill’s foil was displayed in the USMA gymnasium. Bill loved to sing, and “his shower room serenades were famous for several divisions in either direction.” He also was accomplished on the dance floor and was a member of the Hop Committee for three years. When he met Louise Rowe from Longmeadow, MA, a lasting romance ensued. On 10 Jun 1948, two days after graduation, Bill and Louise were married in Longmeadow. After a honeymoon during the extended graduation leave, Bill and Louise gathered with other Army classmates and their brides for a brief assignment at Ft. Riley, where the men attended the Ground General School and the wives enjoyed their introduction to Army life. Branch schools followed, and Bill, having been commissioned in the Field Artillery, proceeded to Ft. Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course. Then followed his first line duty; Bill was assigned overseas to the Army of Occupation in Germany. New LT Shuster was fortunate to draw the 70th Field Artillery Battalion stationed in Fussen. Bill and Louise thoroughly enjoyed life in Germany. While they were in Fussen, their first daughter, Lois Anne, was born in 1950. One of Bill’s good soldiers remembers, “[LT Shuster was] a very sharp officer and really set an example for all the troops. [The soldiers] in my platoon had the utmost respect for LT Shuster as he was military tough but fair.” Bill served as a platoon leader, Battery XO, and assistant S-3 in the battalion. In October 1951, the 70th Field Artillery, including the Shuster family, moved to Nurnberg, where daughter Martha was born in March 1952. In the late summer of 1952, the Shusters returned to Ft. Sill where Bill was assigned as S-2 of the 187th Field Artillery Observation Battalion prior to rejoining his Redleg classmates to attend the Field Artillery Officers Advanced Course. Following graduation, Bill remained at the Artillery School as an instructor in the Department of Tactics. Bill, Louise, and their young daughters flourished at Ft. Sill, the last time they were able to truly enjoy life together as a family. Lois reports, “Daddy showed great care for the concerns of his little girls, and I remember the incredible patience that he always seemed to have for us. He certainly had a gift for letting Martha and me know how much he loved us.” In the summer of 1955, Bill received orders for Korea. The family moved to Longmeadow to stay with Louise’s parents, and Bill reported to the 75th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea. He remained with the battalion for 16 months, serving consecutively as the commander of the Headquarters Battery, as assistant S-3, and as commander of A Battery, a firing battery. As Bill returned to CONUS in February of 1957, he and his family were pleased with the prospect of his next assignment; he had been selected for instructor duty at USMA. But cruel fate intervened, and it was not to be. Near the end of his tour in Korea, Bill had begun to experience medical problems. Nevertheless, the family, awaiting Bill’s arrival at Bradley Field in Connecticut, was excited about his homecoming. On seeing her father come off the airplane, four-year old Martha broke from her mother’s hand, excitedly ran to her daddy, and threw herself into his arms. Sadly, the joy of that homecoming was soon to fade. Bill’s undiagnosed symptoms worsened, and he was admitted into the Army Hospital at West Point for examination. Inoperable brain tumors were discovered, and he was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where, on 22 May 1957, he was retired for medical disability. Bill was then moved to the Veterans’ Hospital at West Haven, CT, where he died on 19 Nov 1957. Three days later, with full military honors, CPT William A. Shuster II was interred among his peers in the Post Cemetery at West Point. Bill, your life was all too short, but in those brief 32 years you ran an admirable race. Well done, Bill, be thou at peace! —Family, classmates, and friends

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