“[This country] is worth something. It’s worth dying for, and a lot of people have done it, and these people need to be honored, and their memory needs to be honored. And that’s what we do.”
–Bill Schurmann, Civil War re-enactor, whose group who portrays the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment.
The Patriot Guard Riders had their motorcycles ready to escort the remains of a Medal of Honor recipient from Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary to Miramar National Cemetery, both in San Diego, California for burial on July 9, 2015.
This was the first Medal of Honor recipient to be buried at the five year old national cemetery. The unusual fact was that the recipient was presented his Medal of Honor in 1869 and died in 1921.
Army Sergeant Charles Schroeter was born in Kingdom of Hanover, Germany on July 4, 1833 (or in 1837, records are in dispute). He reportedly came to America in 1860, through New York but stayed on the ship to New Orleans. He worked for several years as a merchant. In 1863 the Civil War was ongoing and Schroeter enlisted into Company A in the 1st Volunteer Missouri Cavalry Regiment. He mustered out in September 1865. In August 1866, he reenlisted in the Army in St. Louis. He was assigned to the 8th Calvary Regiment and Company.
Cochise and Chiricahua Apaches had led an attack on October 5, 1869, on a mailcoach causing the death of John Finkle Stone, president of Apache Mine pass and his four soldier escort. Hours later, a group of cowboys were moving cattle from Texas to California. While passing through Sulphur Springs Valley, Cochise and his Apaches attacked, killed one man and stole the cattle.
The Calvary pursued the Apaches into an area above Rucker’s Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona. The mountain was steep and the weather was rain and hail. Those conditions and the Apaches hiding in the rocks above made for the battle known as the “Campaign of the Rocky Mesa.” It was for his actions in the battle on October 20, 1869 that he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
He completed his first tour of duty in August 1871 and reenlisted in October 1871. He completed that service as Sergeant with C Company in 1877. In November 1877, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Schroeter served with the Marines aboard the USS Alliance, hosting former President Grant and later the King and Queen of Greece. In 1881, he was promoted to Corporal and was discharged in November 1881.
Ten days later he reenlisted in the Army until November 13, 1886. On November 24, at age 48, he reenlisted again. He was discharged as a Corporal in November 1891. Later that month he reenlisted, at the age of 53 for the last time, he retired as Sergeant on November 23, 1894.
His civilian life was as a co-owner of a candy and tobacco shop in Buffalo, New York. He sold the business in 1918 and moved to San Diego, California.
Charles Schroeter died at age 83 on January 27, 1921 without marrying and no known relatives.
His remains were placed in the Mount Hope section of the Greenwood Memorial Cemetery in San Diego. He had been placed in a communal crypt along with other unclaimed remains.
Researchers from the Medal of Honor Historical Society discovered that the ashes of Charles Schroeter were unclaimed in an unmarked crypt. The society sent a Medal of Honor plaque to the cemetery for placement with his remains.
Cathy Fiorelli, director of the Greenwood Memorial Park realized this was not the fitting place for his remains. “We realized that was not really a proper burial befitting a Civil War soldier who was also a Medal of Honor recipient.”
Fiorelli contacted Miramar National Cemetery and began the paperwork. After proper approvals, Sergeant Charles Schroeter’s ashes would be interred at Miramar.
The Patriot Guard, the all volunteer organization whose mission “is to ensure dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharge Veterans” led the procession of Sgt. Schroeter’s remain from Greenwood Park to Miramar. Civil war re-enactors were present in appropriate dress of Sgt. Schroeter’s War service. A horse-drawn hearse carried his remains, an Army band played.
Army Brigadier General Joseph Martin led with his remarks. “It’s hard to imagine a more difficult time to serve our country than when Sgt. Schroeter served. A world where disease and the environment were just as deadly, or more so, than the enemy due to the medical treatment of the day and harsh living conditions.”
“On behalf of a grateful nation, may you find this new place of rest to be the home of honor you rightly deserve.”
The Medal of Honor was created in 1861 and has been awarded to over 3,400 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and coast Guardsmen.
The Medal of Honor Historical Society states that 400 Medal of Honor recipients are “lost to history” as their final resting places are unknown.
“He devoted his life to his adopted country. He suffered bullet wounds and saber cuts and he was a little guy, about 5’6’ and 135 pounds. He was tough as nails. He deserves to be buried among his comrades in arms.”
–Bill Heard, spokesman for the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation