John Eugene Schweizer – Colonel, United States Army

John Eugene Schweizer

Born December 10, 1927 – Died July 31, 2008

John Eugene “Monk” Schweizer was born in Washburn, North Dakota on 10 December 1927 and was appointed to West Point from an Honor Military School.

His West Point classmates recall: “When the ‘Mad Monk' mosied down from the hills of Dakota, West Point's ivied walls were in for a shock, not only from the electrifying impulses of this wizard's brain, but also from his philosophy: ‘I found a home in the Army.' Its been said that the mastermind has a ‘Queen' awaiting his return. No doubt they will spend nights on the prairie working calc problems on matched slide rules.”

During his cadet days Monk was on the Public Information Detail his plebe year, on the Model Railroad Club yearling year, and on the German Club yearling, cow and first class years. He was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year.

On graduation Monk went in the Corps of Engineers and after completing the Basic Engineers Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia reported to the Engineer Replacement Training Center, also at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and served until 1952. Next Monk reported to the 547th Engineer Combat Battalion in Europe where he served until 1955 when he returned to stateside to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1956.

Monk's next assignment was to the Reactors Group where he served from 1956 to 1959. Next he reported to the Headquarters, 13th Engineer Battalion where he served until 1960. From 1960 to 1963 Monk was assigned to the Department of Physics and Chemistry at West Point, then in 1963 he attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

His next assignment was to Headquarters, 10th Engineer Battalion where he served from 1964 to 1966. Next Monk went to Headquarters, Central Army Group and served through 1967 and then returned to the Reactors Group and served until 1968 earning a Commendation Medal for distinguished service in the process. Monk was named Commanding Officer of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion in Vietnam and served from 1968 to 1969.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy and 4 Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight on completion of this duty.

Next, for the year of 1969 he served as Deputy Engineer for the 2nd Field Force, Vietnam and was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services on completion of this assignment.

Monk then went to the Office, Assistant Chief of Staff for Organized Reserves and served until 1970 and earned a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1971 Monk returned to school, this time to Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania and he earned a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg College as well.

Monk then went to the Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as J3 from 1971 to 1973 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. His next duty assignment was to Headquarters, Engineer Command, Europe where he served until 1974. Monk then won assignment to the Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at Headquarters, United States Army Reserve, Europe and served until 1976. Monk was then named Deputy District Engineer for the National Division, a position he held from 1976 to 1979.

Monk's last military assignment was to the Operational Test and Evaluation Agency where he served from 1979 until he retired as a Colonel in 1981.

Monk and his wife Wendy made their home in Annandale, Virginia.

SCHWEIZER, JOHN EUGENE
COL   US ARMY
KOREA, VIETNAM

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/10/1927
  • DATE OF DEATH: 07/31/2008
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 8499
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

jeschweizer-gravesite-photo-october-2008-001

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