Re: MIA Buried 32 Years to the Day He Went Missing

Date: May 27, 2004

"URI honors the memory of a former instructor and Army hero

An officer is remembered for sacrificing his life so that his comrades could escape a perilous situation in the Vietnam War.

Lt. Col. Richard S. Schott was the military science instructor at the University of Rhode Island in the mid-1960s when Leon J. LaPorte, a ROTC cadet from Olneyville, was one of his students.

On Sunday, LaPorte, now a four-star general, returned to URI to pay tribute to his former instructor, calling Colonel Schott "a true hero who gave his life in the defense of liberty."

Colonel Schott's remains were recently discovered in Vietnam and buried on April 7 in West Virginia -- exactly 32 years to the day that he went on the missing-in-action list.

On Sunday, URI's Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a granite bench outside Keaney gymnasium, was rededicated by General LaPorte, URI President Robert Carothers and the Schott family.

The rededication placed Colonel Schott's name on the bench with the other 17 URI students and staff who were killed in Vietnam.

"This is such a wonderful day for my family," said Susan Schott, one of Colonel Schott's daughters. "This was probably one of my father's favorite duty stations. We had three wonderful years in South Kingstown. I think he would be proud to see his name here on that bench."

She made the trip from West Virginia with her grandson, Alex, and mother, Joan, Colonel Schott's widow.

"My father loved soldiering and he instilled in all of us a love of the Army," Susan Schott said. "He taught us a patriotism that I hope I passed on to my children. The Army is so much more than a career. It's a way of life."

Colonel Schott was on his third tour of duty in Vietnam when on April 7, 1972, while serving as an advisor to a South Vietnam regiment and armor company, the North Vietnam Army overran the village of Loc Ninh.

An Army captain who was with Colonel Schott as the NVA climbed the Americans' command bunker said the gravely wounded Schott took his own life rather than be a burden to the six remaining advisors as they tried to make their escape.

No mention of how Colonel Schott died was made at Sunday's ceremony.

But, as General LaPorte summed up: "Colonel Schott is an inspiration to all who have served, who are serving, and who will serve in our Armed Forces."

DAVE McCARTHY"