Justin Taylor Schacht – Military Son, United States Army

The son of the commander of a Schweinfurt, Germany-based infantry battalion currently in Iraq was found dead in the family’s on-post house on Thursday afternoon, officials said Friday.

Justin Schacht, 15, was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Eric Schacht. Schacht is commander of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. Justin Schacht was “found unresponsive in his family’s home in the Askren Manor housing area,” a news release from the Schweinfurt public affairs office read. “Medical authorities responded but were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at 5:50 p.m.”

German and American authorities are investigating the cause of death, officials said, but foul play is not suspected.


Memorial for ‘Blue Spaders’ commander’s son to be held in Virginia
Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, June 27, 2007

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A memorial service for the son of the commander of the “Blue Spaders,” 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment based in Schweinfurt, Germany, will be held Thursday in Alexandria, Virginia.

Justin Taylor Schacht, 15, was found dead the afternoon of June 21 at his on-post home. His death is under investigation.

Schacht had recently completed ninth grade at Würzburg American High School, according to the Schweinfurt public affairs office.

The service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday at Demaine Funeral Home at 520 South Washington St. in Alexandria.

He will be buried 10 a.m. Friday at Arlington National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the graveside service should arrive at the Arlington Administrative Building by 9:30 a.m.

Schacht’s father, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Schacht, who has been deployed in Iraq, is now in the States, officials said.

Apart from his father, Justin Schacht is survived by his mother, Amy; sister, Meagan; brother, Brian; and grandparents Allen and Judy Schacht of Zumbro Falls, Minn.; Colonel (Ret.) John and Susie Motes of Augusta, Georgia; and Steve & Jane Roberts of Poca, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the Schacht family is requesting donations be made by check or money order to “Military Community Youth Ministry Europe,” with “Justin Schacht Camp Scholarship Fund” written in the memo area.

Donations can be mailed to CMR 419, Box 1636, APO, AE, 09102. The donations will support the “Club Beyond” youth group, of which Schacht was a member.

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