Military News

Col. Gerald Schumacher (Ret.) was honored April 28 in a ceremony at Fort Benning, Georgia, with induction into the U.S. Army’s Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.

He is pictured with his wife, Alice Clay.

Distinguished service at the state and national level are the essence for Hall of Fame selection.

During his career, Schumacher commanded Special Forces units (Green Berets) as well as having served as brigade commander and division chief of staff.  

His civilian and military education includes graduating from the Command and General Staff College, Special Forces Qualification Course, Jumpmaster Course, Infantry Officers Advance Course, Regional and Popular Forces Adviser School, Defense Race Relations Institute, Officers Candidate School and the University of Miami.

Among the awards and decorations Schumacher has received are the Combat Infantry Badge, Special Forces Qualification tab, Master Parachute wings, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” for heroism in combat, and oak leaf cluster (second award), Meritorious Service Medal (sixth award), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.

Schumacher is currently an author and photographer. His published books include “To Be a U.S. Army Green Beret” and “A Bloody Business, American War Zone Contractors and the Occupation of Iraq.”

He and his wife live in Columbia Falls.

Alice’s parents, John and Pat Clay, live in Somers.

Air Force Airman Raymond Symes graduated from basic military training at Joint Base, San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas, on April 10. He earned an expert marksman ribbon.

Symes is the son of Mary Booth of Kalispell and is a 2013 graduate of Flathead High School.