Rhett's family lived in Amsterdam, Holland for time and then in China where he was a 1999 graduate of Shanghai American School. While there he became fluent in Chinese. He then enrolled in The United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from there in 2003 with a degree in Chinese and was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry. He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He completed Army Ranger School at Fort Benning Georgia in March of 2004 and was then assigned to the 82nd, where he was platoon leader for Company B, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and later the executive officer for Company A. In September of 2005, his brigade was assigned to New Orleans Louisiana for relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Rhett was deployed to Iraq with his unit in August of 2006. He was killed in Balad Ruz Iraq from injuries he received when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations. He was known to take care of his soldiers and for raising the spirits and motivation in them and for being someone who was always trying to improve himself and succeed. His father said this about Rhett, "He touched everyone he met. He made people better. He spent 26 years and nine days doing exactly what he wanted to do. If you didn't know him, jeez, I wish you would have." Rhett is survived by his parents, William and Karla Schiller of Waterford Wisconsin; a brother, Captain Ryan (Martha) Schiller of the United States Marine Corps; two sisters, Renee (Brian) Ray, who is a Warrant Officer at Fort Bragg and Rhonda (Raj) Sutaria; a nephew; his grandmother Augustine Schiller; and his fiancee, Tiffany Phelps. Rhett was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. He earned the Ranger's Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge and Master Parachutist Badge. After the death of Captain Schiller, the Wind Lake Wisconsin Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post #8343 has requested to have their post renamed to honor Rhett.
Bio by: Sue
Bio by: Sue
Rhett's family lived in Amsterdam, Holland for time and then in China where he was a 1999 graduate of Shanghai American School. While there he became fluent in Chinese. He then enrolled in The United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from there in 2003 with a degree in Chinese and was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry. He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He completed Army Ranger School at Fort Benning Georgia in March of 2004 and was then assigned to the 82nd, where he was platoon leader for Company B, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and later the executive officer for Company A. In September of 2005, his brigade was assigned to New Orleans Louisiana for relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Rhett was deployed to Iraq with his unit in August of 2006. He was killed in Balad Ruz Iraq from injuries he received when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations. He was known to take care of his soldiers and for raising the spirits and motivation in them and for being someone who was always trying to improve himself and succeed. His father said this about Rhett, "He touched everyone he met. He made people better. He spent 26 years and nine days doing exactly what he wanted to do. If you didn't know him, jeez, I wish you would have." Rhett is survived by his parents, William and Karla Schiller of Waterford Wisconsin; a brother, Captain Ryan (Martha) Schiller of the United States Marine Corps; two sisters, Renee (Brian) Ray, who is a Warrant Officer at Fort Bragg and Rhonda (Raj) Sutaria; a nephew; his grandmother Augustine Schiller; and his fiancee, Tiffany Phelps. Rhett was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. He earned the Ranger's Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge and Master Parachutist Badge. After the death of Captain Schiller, the Wind Lake Wisconsin Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post #8343 has requested to have their post renamed to honor Rhett.
Bio by: Sue
Bio by: Sue
