Leo H. Schweiter
Leo Henry Schweiter (1917-1972) was a United States Army Major General who served as commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War.
Leo Henry Schweiter | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) BG Schweiter in 1967 | |
| Born | April 16, 1917 Wichita, Kansas |
| Died | August 23, 1972 (aged 55) Carlisle Barracks |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1938–1972 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | 173rd Airborne Brigade |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star |
Early life and education
He attended Kansas State College.
Military service
World War II
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. He then transferred to the 101st Airborne Division and while serving as a Captain and assistant G-2 (Intelligence Officer) took part in the Normandy airborne landings on 6 June 1944. He was knocked unconscious by a German grenade blast and captured, but was released the following day when the Germans withdrew.[1] He later took part in Operation Market Garden and the Siege of Bastogne.[2] In late January 1945, as the Germans launched a counterattack at Haguenau Major Schweiter stated "What the hell are you so worried about? The 101st alone can lick five German divisions simultaneously. We just did."[3]
Korean War
He served in the 7th Infantry Division and took part in the Battle of Inchon and the later landings at Wonsan. He was given command the 32nd Infantry Regiment.[2]
Post Korean War
In 1959 he was named chief of staff of the 8th Infantry Division.
He later was assistant chief of staff, G2, headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps.
Col. Schweiter served as the first commanding officer of the 5th Special Forces Group from September 1961 to July 1962.[2]
From 1962 to 1964 he served in the office of special assistant for counterinsurgency and special activities for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He served as assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.[2]
Vietnam War
On 23 August 1967 BG Schweiter took command of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.[4]
BG Schweiter led the Brigade in the costly Battle of Dak To in November 1967, following which it was withdrawn to lower intensity areas, while its constituent units were rebuilt.[4]: 155–81 The Brigade returned to participate in Operation Bolling in December 1967.[4]: 205–6 Schweiter handed over command of the Brigade to BG Richard J. Allen on 20 March 1968.[4]: 474
He served as chief of staff United States Army Vietnam until May 1972.
Later life
He retired from the Army due to ill health in May 1972 and died at Dunham Army Hospital, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania on 23 August 1972.
Personal life
He and his wife Virginia had 3 daughters and a son.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- Koskimaki, George (2012). D-Day with the Screaming Eagles. Open Road Media. ISBN 9781480406582.
- Murphy, Edward (2008). Dak To: America's Sky Soldiers in South Vietnam's Central Highlands. Random House Publishing Group. pp. 117–8. ISBN 9780307518767.
- Rich, Donald (2011). Glider Infantryman: Behind Enemy Lines in World War II. Texas A&M University Press. p. 209. ISBN 9781603445290.
- Villard, Erik (2017). United States Army in Vietnam Combat Operations Staying the Course October 1967 to September 1968. Center of Military History United States Army. p. 155. ISBN 9780160942808.