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<em>Wayne Keith Schaltenbrand</em> was born 22 Aug 1945, in Pennsylvania to Ray and Gertrude Schaltenbrand but spent most of his childhood years in Hialeah, FL, where he grew up in a loving and caring family of six. The influence of his family’s deep Christian faith helped to mold his strong, moral char­acter. He was active in the Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts, and he competed in sev­eral sports. At an early age, Wayne’s father, a swimmer and water polo coach, took him under his wing and trained him in the sport of competitive diving.</p>
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Wayne graduated from Miami Jackson Senior High School in 1963, where he ex­celled as a student athlete. He was a member of the Interact Club, Student Council, and Vice President of the Drakes (swim) Club. A fellow member of the Interact Club remem­bers Wayne as being a polite and focused young man. In his senior year, he received a national mathematics award. Wayne also lettered in gymnastics and was the school’s top diver for three years, qualifying third in the Florida state finals. He was named to the “All City” swim team by the Miami Herald.</p>
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After graduating from high school, Wayne followed his older brother Ray ’65, entering the United States Military Academy at West Point through a Congressional ap­pointment. While there, he would have a sig­nificant impact on the success of the Army swim team as a diving champion. This was evident by his record of placing first 23 times in dual meet competitions. One of Wayne’s most important wins came in his Cow year, when his first place victory helped Army beat Yale 48-47 for the first time in 20 years. With Wayne’s contribution, Army went on to have an undefeated season (13-0), which has yet to be duplicated. That same year, Wayne fin­ished third on the three-meter diving board and fourth on the one meter diving board in the Eastern Collegiate Championship.</p>
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The <em>Howitzer</em> says of Wayne that he <em>pos­sesses an effervescent personality that is thor­oughly mixed with enthusiasm.</em> This fervor of enthusiasm was apparent in the sports arena where Wayne was involved in many different athletic activities, including the ski club, water polo team, and the karate club. It was his involvement in diving, however, that set him apart from others. His passion for diving would be demonstrated by sneak­ing into the pool on weekends to perfect the demanding acrobatic movements expected of him at competitions. These covert ses­sions were probably not only to get in more practice time, but to also enjoy the thrill of challenging the tactical department, which would have punished him if he were caught.</p>
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Wayne’s interest in academics did not present itself until the final few months of his Firstie year, when he competed for the “honor” of class goat, only to lose to one classmate. Although academics proved to be a formidable challenge for Wayne, he rose to the occasion and persevered with the same level of enthusiasm that he exhibited while on the diving board. Through hard work and dedication to his studies, Wayne man­aged to overcome this obstacle and graduate with his class in June of 1967.</p>
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Following his graduation and commis­sion to second lieutenant at West Point, Wayne made several stops before heading to Vietnam. After reporting to Ft. Benning, GA, for the obligatory Infantry courses, he continued to Ft. Hood, TX, where he served as platoon leader and company ex­ecutive officer in the 2nd Armored Division. Upon completing a short course for Infantry Advisor Training at Ft. Bragg, NC, he was deployed to Vietnam with the United States Military Assistance Command on 29 Dec 1969 and assigned to Advisory Team 69 in An Giang Province.</p>
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In the scriptures, Jesus said, <em>Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.</em> On 14 May 1969, Wayne made the ultimate sacrifice. On that date, his company was assigned the mission of at­tacking an entrenched Viet Cong force (aug­mented by the North Vietnamese Army) of approximately 200 that had penetrated into the Cho Moi District. As the friendly unit advanced, it came under mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Taking im­mediate action, Wayne fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved about, encouraging his counterpart and positioning himself so he could direct gunship strikes on the enemy. Following one of the gunship strikes, Wayne was mortally wounded.</p>
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Wayne was escorted home by his brother, CPT Ray Schaltenbrand, and buried near his childhood home in Vista Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hialeah, FL. He was promoted posthumously to the grade of cap­tain, effective 13 May 1969, and awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart. A fellow officer with him when he died on the battlefield stated, “Wayne was a good man, a good friend, and though he was often unconventional (and fiercely proud of being unconventional), he was a good soldier, a proud patriot for his country, and a true credit to the Long Gray Line.”</p>
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While Wayne is sorely missed, his fam­ily shares a reverent pride in his accomplish­ments, his patriotism, and his courage. In the book of John, our Lord says, <em>“I go to prepare a place for you...Do not let your hearts be trou­bled and do not be afraid.</em>” Wayne is currently survived by his brothers, Ray and Lee, and his sister, Janet Rose.</p>
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<em>—Ray and Lee Schaltenbrand, classmates Kerry O’Hara and Hap Trainor ’67</em></p>