Charles J. Schultz was born on September 30, 1944. His home of record is Metuchen, NJ. He was the oldest brother of four boys. He graduated from Metuchen High School in 1962. He was nicknamed “JFK.” In his yearbook he expressed interest to become the President of the United States. His pet peeves included Harry S. Truman, Republications, and fish. His weaknesses included hunting, 1962 Pontiacs, and money. He was known for his brief case toting, red hair, and the quote “But, Mr. Faeth…” He was aspiring for a career in medicine. His high school activities included Audio Visual Aids, Vice-President, Archery Club, Literary Club, Cross-Country Manager, Audio Visual Aids Newspaper Editor. He was also a Boy Scout in Troop 74 in Metuchen.
Charles graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1966. During his senior year, he was president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. A fraternity brother remembered him as “full of character and leadership, he truly epitomized the optimism and patriotism we all had in the early 60s. His red hair and lean figure gave a resemblance of Bobby Kennedy. He spoke with authority and had a dry sense of humor that would break into a delayed smile just in time to let you know this upper classman was your friend.”
He served in the US Marine Corps. Schultz went to Parris Island and then to Quantico for officer’s training. By April of 1967, he had his departure date for Vietnam, and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant (2LT).
Schultz was killed in action on June 3, 1967. On June 2, 1967, during Operation Union II in the Que Son Valley, the Marines found the enemy entrenched in and around the Vinh Huy village complex. Heavy fighting on the 2nd and 3rd cost 67 American lives as the 2nd Bn, 5th Marines and elements of two other Marine battalions took on and decisively defeated the 3rd NVA Regiment. The 2/5 Marines lost 32 men over the two day period including Charles. He is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Metuchen, New Jersey. He is remembered through the Richard Herold-Charles Schultz Scholarship Fund which carries his legacy through his name a fellow young Vietnam War veteran from Metuchen High School.
Sources: Various websites, Janet Hartman, Aaron Boxer (fraternity brother), Herbert Twiddy, and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
