Cortlandt V.R. Schuyler
Encyclopedia
Cortlandt Van Rensselaer Schuyler (December 22, 1900 – December 4, 1993) was a United States Army
four star general who served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
(COFS SHAPE) from 1953 to 1959.
on December 22, 1900. He attended Columbia High School
in Maplewood, New Jersey
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1922 and was commissioned in the Coast Artillery Corps.
His first assignment was at Fort Monroe
, Virginia, where he was assigned to the 61st Antiaircraft Battalion, at the time the only anti-aircraft unit in the army. Later he served with the 60th Coast Artillery (antiaircraft) in the Philippines
and the 4th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) at Fort Amador
in the Panama Canal Zone
.
In 1939, while a member of the Antiaircraft section of the Coast Artillery Board, he participated actively in the development of the first multiple, power-operated antiaircraft machine gun mount. He was awarded the Legion of Merit
for his work in this field.
Prior to becoming Chief of Staff of SHAPE, Schuyler commanded the 28th Infantry Division.
Schuyler died on December 4, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas
. He was survived by his wife, two children, and two stepchildren.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
(COFS SHAPE) from 1953 to 1959.
Military career
Schuyler was born in Mount Arlington, New JerseyMount Arlington, New Jersey
-History:While Mount Arlington is now mostly a suburban residential community, it was once a thriving resort town. In the era before the world wars and the advent of air travel, it was a welcome respite for the residents of nearby New York City and Newark....
on December 22, 1900. He attended Columbia High School
Columbia High School (New Jersey)
Columbia High School is a four-year comprehensive regional public high school located at 17 Parker Avenue in Maplewood, New Jersey, which serves students in grades nine through twelve within the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which includes Maplewood and South Orange Townships...
in Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 23,867.-History:...
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1922 and was commissioned in the Coast Artillery Corps.
His first assignment was at Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
, Virginia, where he was assigned to the 61st Antiaircraft Battalion, at the time the only anti-aircraft unit in the army. Later he served with the 60th Coast Artillery (antiaircraft) in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and the 4th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) at Fort Amador
Fort Amador
Fort Amador and Fort Grant were former United States Army bases protecting the Pacific end of the Panama Canal at the Panama Bay. Amador was the primary on-land site, lying below the Bridge of the Americas. Grant consisted of a series of islands lying just offshore, some connected to Amador via a...
in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
.
In 1939, while a member of the Antiaircraft section of the Coast Artillery Board, he participated actively in the development of the first multiple, power-operated antiaircraft machine gun mount. He was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
for his work in this field.
Prior to becoming Chief of Staff of SHAPE, Schuyler commanded the 28th Infantry Division.
Post military
After retiring from the army in 1959, Schuyler served as Commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services from 1960 to 1971.Schuyler died on December 4, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. He was survived by his wife, two children, and two stepchildren.