Robert L. Schweitzer

Robert Laurence Schweitzer

Early life and education Born in Chicago, He enlisted in the Army in 1950 Schweitzer also earned an M.S. degree in military arts and science from the Army Command and General Staff College and an M.A. degree in international relations from Georgetown University. He attended the Army War College and received an M.S. degree in counseling from Shippensburg State College.

Military career As an enlisted soldier, Schweitzer served during the Korean War but was not sent overseas. From 1 July 1952 to 27 October 1957, he was assigned to the Illinois Army National Guard before rejoining the Regular Army.

During the Vietnam War, Schweitzer was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 11 December 1966 during the defense of the village of Tam Da. Serving as an aerial observer for the 1st Infantry Division, he killed two Viet Cong insurgents near a concealed tunnel entrance. His pilot landed their helicopter and Schweitzer investigated the tunnel by himself, disabling four booby traps, killing two more insurgents, capturing a fifth one and recovering intelligence materials.

Schweitzer married Nancy Jean Nolan on 3 August 1950. The couple had five sons and one daughter, but the marriage ended in divorce.

Schweitzer remarried with Marie Silvia "Marisa" Schweitzer (31 December 1931 – 30 July 2016) His second wife was interred with him on 15 November 2016.