THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 2, 1995 TAG: 9501020018
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: KEY COLONY BEACH, FLA. LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Matthew James Schwartz, a retired commander in the U.S. Navy, died Wednesday at his Key Colony Beach home. He was 73.
Mr. Schwartz was born July 5, 1921, in Milwaukee, Wis. He graduated in 1943 from Marquette University a civil engineer, then entered the Navy and served aboard the USS Nevada and USS Missouri.
He received his flying wings in 1945 and was a multi-engine naval pilot for 28 years, which included time as a plane commander. He also flew in the Bay of Pigs invasion and was part of the first squadron to fly into Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Schwartz received the following medals during his time in the military: American Campaign, European African Middle Eastern Campaign (four stars), Asiatic-Pacific (four stars), World War II Victory Medal, National Service Medal with Star, Philippine Liberation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
Mr. Schwartz retired from the Navy in 1970, then went on to work 15 years for the City of Virginia Beach as a civil engineer. He lived in Virginia Beach for 28 years before making Key Colony Beach his home for the past six years.
Mr. Schwartz is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bettie Jane Schwartz; sons, Matthew J. Jr. of Chesapeake, Lt. Col. Robert Michael, Retired USAF of Niceville, Fla., Paul of Virginia Beach, Richard of Capitol Heights, Md. and Douglas D. of Washington, D.C.; daughters, Barbara J. Queeney and Pamala S. (Capt. Danny) Aldridge of Key Colony Beach; brothers, Joseph of Glendale, Wis. and John of Brookfield, Wis.; sister, Mary Ann Schwartz of Whitefish Bay, Wis.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews.
A rosary and viewing will be held at San Pablo Catholic Church at 6 to 9 p.m. today. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1995 with Father Gerald Morris officiating. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Friday, Jan. 6, 1995 at 9 a.m. The Martin-Vegue Funeral Home of Marathon, Fla. and Murphy Funeral Home, Arlington, Va., in charge of arrangements.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY
by CNB