DOB/DOD: February 18, 1991 (Hartford, CT) – April 11, 2012; 21 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Fuller Road; Pleasant Valley
ENLISTMENT: June 2010
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 11B10; Infantryman
UNIT: Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
FAMILY: Born to Erik M.B. Schiller (1967-) and Robin G. Sipe Schiller Larsen (1959-). One sister, Courtney (1987-).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with device, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Medal – Afghanistan, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Specialist Schiller was killed by small-arms fire while on patrol in Afghanistan.
The Colony High School (Texas), Class of 2010.
From The Hartford Courant on April 17, 2012
By Christine Dempsey
FALLEN SOLDIER HONORED FOR BRAVERY
Specialist Philip Schiller, Formerly Of Connecticut, Killed In Afghanistan
Even after he was wounded by enemy fire in Afghanistan, Specialist Philip C.S. Schiller kept firing, his father and aunt said Monday. “He did his job,” said Erik Schiller said on Monday. “He did his best to protect his unit.” “He continued to cover his squad even after he was hit,” Ellen Schiller Gilbert said. “That prevented the rest of his squad from being killed.” For that, Schiller, a former Connecticut resident, was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medals. “He took his military service very seriously, and he became a man in the service,” Gilbert said. The 21-year-old died on April 11 in Kandahar province, according to officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the state of Washington. Schiller lived in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted, in West Hartford, and in Winsted before moving to The Colony, Texas, a few years ago, Gilbert said. He graduated in 2010 from The Colony High School, where he had joined the Junior Officers’ Reserve Corps, according to a school spokeswoman.
From The Dallas Morning News on April 21, 2012
U.S. Army Specialist Philip Channing Sipe Schiller was born February 18, 1991, in Hartford, Connecticut, and was killed April 11, 2012, while on duty in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Philip was active in ROTC at The Colony High School, where he graduated. He is survived by his father, Erik Schiller; his mother, Robin Larsen; his sister, Courtney Schiller; and many other loving family members and friends. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Monday, April 23, 2012, at Jeter & Son. The funeral service will be Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 1:00 PM at Jeter & Son Chapel. Internment with military honors will follow at the Dallas / Fort Worth National Cemetery.
From JeterandSon.com
My love and deepest sympathy to your family. I’m Scott Farnsworth’s Mom; the boys served together. Now, they’re both partying with all the other warriors in Valhalla. Philip will NEVER be forgotten!
— Pat Farnsworth
I work in Afghanistan. We feel your pain every day that we lose a hero over here. We mourn with you in every way. He did not die in vain. His loss is our loss as well. May GOD bless you and keep you. [obits.dallasnews.com]
— A. Holcombe
Philip had so many wonderful qualities. Even though he was his sister, Courtney’s little brother, he was her big brother whom she loved so very much. His smile and laughter were infectious, and he would always say, “I love you more.” Philip would give you the shirt off his back and stand beside you no matter what. He was so full of life and took things head-on; that’s just who he was. [CarryTheLoad.com]
Specialist Schiller is buried in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas; Section 88, Site 16.
