James Patrick Schueller

Bob Dylan so eloquently described many of the heroes simple yet beautifully written, "With God on Our Side." The lyrics read, "Oh my name it is nothin, my age it means less. The country I come from is called the Midwest. I's taught and brought up there, the laws to abide. And that land that I live in has God on its side." Too many of these heroes have been forgotten to the public and lost to the Vietnam War. One such casualty is James Patrick Schueller.

James Patrick Schueller was born of this earth on August 18, 1942 in Marshfield, WI. He was a Marshfield High School Graduate of 1960. After high school, he went on to attend the nearby universities of Stevens Point and River Falls. He voluntarily went into the military service in April of 1964, but was unaware of the future.

James Schueller took to basic training well. There, in Fort Leonardwood, he won two letters of recommendation for his abilities. He then went to Ft. Know, KY for advanced training and then back to Fort Leonard Wood for candidate school. At candidate school, he was promoted to platoon sergeant. In September of 1965, he volunteered for jump school, but was placed as a training officer at Ft. Benning, GA in a basic training center. It wasn't until July of 1966 that James was sent to Vietnam. There, in November, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.

James was able to make his time in Vietnam worthwhile. In South Vietnam, in the village of An Khe somewhere near Saigon, he set up a teaching program for 46 seventh graders. He unprecedentedly taught these students English when not fighting in combat. In his absence, other soldiers would fill in for him at the school. Being athletic, one of the other things James was proud of was teaching the Vietnamese children American sports. He wrote his family, telling them that they've become good softball players. He was no doubt proud of his accomplishments.

As well as benefiting the children, this school benefited James. This school was a way for James to seclude himself from the war. It was a way for him to make his combat tour more interesting and quicker. Another event, besides the school, that James felt excited about was the native banquets the director of the village school gave him the opportunity to attend. He was also able to pick up part of the Vietnamese language, which was important to understand at a time when very few communications were taking place.

In June 23, 1967, James was on an aircraft heading towards Tan Son Nhut. Dramatically, the aircraft had experienced turbulence and overshot the runway end. The aircraft couldn't handle it, and had burst into flames. Services and burial were held by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Schueller in Bakersville, WI.

James was a noble young man who died at the age of 24 years young- too young by anyone's standards. His fellow soldiers thought of him as a great officer. His talent for making to best out of a bad situation was commended then and should be recognized even now. James Patrick Schueller did mean something; he was not a nothing. His young age spoke miles for what he was able to accomplish in Vietnam during his service to the U.S. He will always be a respectable young man, known for helping others learn. We salute you lst Lieut. James Schueller.

Written by: Molly Lake
Marshfield Senior High

James Patrick Schueller
Born - August 16, 1942
Died - June 17, 1967

On a 160-acre farm south of Bakerville, Wisconsin in the Town of Lincoln, Wood County was where the Gertrude and John Schueller lived and raised their family. The oldest girl was Elizabeth, better known as Betty, (Sherman) Stoflet. Next was James, who was called Jim. He was followed by four brothers Don, Ron, Larry, John Jr. and a sister named Linda (Everett) Donnerbauer.

Jim's early years of education, grades one through eight, began at Corpus Christi School at Bakerville. During those younger years his mother said, "He was very good in the kitchen." He helped her with many of the household chores, like baking, canning, and taking care of his baby sister, Linda.

While attending Marshfield Senior High, in nearby Marshfield, he was active in wrestling, track, cross country, commercial club and the "M" Club, graduating from the class of 1960. It is said that he and his father enjoyed wrestling for fun in the family home, but the dog would bark continuously, wanting to protect the master of the house, even from such mock confrontations.

Jim attended two UW Schools, those being River Falls and Stevens Point. Moving to UW-Stevens Point meant he was a little closer to home. His little Volkswagen Beetle brought him home many times while attending college. Being with family, washing clothes, and have a home cooked meal every now and then was convenient. The aroma and taste of Mom's home baked bread not only drew Jim to the kitchen but the rest of the family as well. They enjoyed the mouth watering event as it came fresh out of the oven. During summer breaks, Jim worked on several area farms to help with the harvest and earn a few extra dollars. His mother claims the military likes farm boys because they were physically strong. His brother claims that Jim had many skills in the area of leadership.

In the spring of 1964 he decided to enlist in the Army. He told Mom he thought the country really needed him. Basic training was completed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There he won two letters of recommendation. One in which he attained the highest score of anyone in the battalion of 991 men on a physical test. The other was being leader of a squad which achieved highest average of the battalion's sixty-four squads.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in September in 1965. Jim was promoted to First Lieutenant in November 1966 while in Vietnam. While on duty in Vietnam, Mom said, "Jim spent his spare hours teaching a class of seventh grade girls the English language, and the boys the game of baseball." Packages sent from home during his time in Vietnam consisted of baseballs and bats. Jim was considered a friend to everyone he met.

Jim signed up for another year of duty. He boarded a plane that was headed to Spain for a month of "R&R." The airplane was loaded, ready for take off. The circumstances are somewhat unclear just what happened and where it took place. But these are the best details that were available. There was an explosion in the plane. Jim had made it out just fine. But after realizing some of his buddies and children did not get off the plane, he re-entered the airplane to help rescue them. Then there was another explosion on the plane, and it was at this time that Jim lost his life. It is thought that the airplane may have been sabotaged by the enemy.

The family was told by a Captain that their son had died in service for his country. Now forty years later, the tears still fill the eyes of his mother as she speaks of him, and his military picture hangs in her room in the nursing home where she now resides.

His remains are buried in the Corpus Christi Cemetery in Bakerville a few miles from what was once his home. This is only one soldier from one war that still remains in the hearts of his family and the thoughts of the Wood County. May God send peace to all those who have suffered from the loss of his life.

Written and interviewed by Lorraine Rogers on March 6, 2007.
Family that shared special moments about Jim Schueller, was his mother Gertrude, and his brother Don.