Albert L. Schiavone

ALBERT L. SCHIAVONE

Col. Albert L. Schiavone, US Army (Ret.) age 77 died on Friday, January 16, 2009 at Collington Episocopal Life Care Center, Mitchellville, MD from complications of cancer. Col. Schiavone resided in the greater Washington, D.C. area for twenty years and spent much of his military career here.

Al, as his friends knew him, was born on May 11, 1931 in Albany NY, the son of Sophia (Albert) and Dominick Schiavone. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Albany in 1949. When the Korean Conflict broke out, he enlisted in the US Army in January 1951 and served with the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division in the Korean theatre as a Section Sergeant of a 75mm Recoilless Rifle Platoon. He earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the United Nations and Korean Service Medals (to this day, his proudest, most humbling achievement as a foot-soldier was the CIB). Recognized as a leader while in combat, he was asked by his military superiors to return to the States and attend Officers Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas where he graduated in October 1952.

Immediately upon his return to the States in February 1952, Al married his childhood sweetheart, Marie Phyllis Monahan, who preceded him in death in March of 2005. Al and Marie were married for 52 years. Al is survived by his sister, Rita Joyce Schiavone of Mitchellville (formerly of Albany, NY), his son, Stephen (Susan Towne) of Jamestown NY, and daughters, Phyllis of Westminster MD, and Janine (Stephen Mauersberg) of Owings, MD. Al was the proud grandfather of Karen and Matthew Schiavone and Justin and Jacob Mauersberg.

Over the course of his military career, Al became a highly respected leader and administrator within the health-care administration arm of the US Army, the Medical Service Corps. His first assignment as a new 2nd Lt was to teach newly commissioned Army doctors and nurses at Ft Sam Houston, TX how to drill, read terrain maps and “move, shoot, and communicate” on the battlefield. Later he served as Medical Company Officer (males, enlisted) at USMA West Point and as the Adjutant Officer for the US Army Hospitals in Paris, France and then at Ft Devens, Massachusetts.

Throughout his career Al attended classes at the University of Maryland, graduating in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Military History.

Upon graduation from UM, the Army gave Al the opportunity to return to San Antonio where he earned his Master of Hospital Administration at Baylor University/US Army Medical Field Service School at Fort Sam Houston, graduating with top honors in June 1970.

In July 1970 Al was assigned as the Executive Officer of the 68th US Army Medical Group in South Vietnam where he coordinated the personnel, supply logistics and medical care for nearly 60 field combat medical facilities.

After returning from Vietnam, Al had several assignments in the Washington, D.C. area. As Chief of Personnel & Training, Personnel Services Division at the Army Surgeon General’s office, he was involved in developing and implementing health personnel policies in the areas of health personnel requirements, procurement, education and training. Additionally he assisted in developing health policies and legislation, and participated in the conduct of studies for health care manpower as the Assistant to the Chief of the Medical Service Corps.

One of Al’s most cherished postings was that of Executive Officer (administrator) of Kimbrough Army Hospital, Fort Meade, Maryland. Here all his training and experience came together, not only managing a 150-bed acute care full service hospital, but he concurrently administered the Washington-area military community health care program for military personnel and eligible dependents.

The capstone position for Al’s career was Chief of the Medical Service Corps Career Activities Office, where he specialized in the utilization and assignments of career officers and physicians throughout the Army’s medical services.

Al retired from the Army as a Colonel on January 31, 1977 with 26 years of service. In his career as an administrative officer, Al was honored twice with the Legion of Merit for outstanding military service for seeing that the medical staff who delivered health care to our servicemen and women had the human and physical assets required to complete their mission.

After his retirement from the military, Al continued his administrative career with two health service organizations in the Baltimore area. First he served as the Business Manager with Central Medical Services, an HMO, and then from 1979-1983 as Vice President of Corporate Development with Daughters of Charity – Eastern Cooperative Medical Services. After permanently retiring Al settled down for real - to enjoy home life, sailing, and the new grandchildren that were coming along.

Al was a man who enjoyed life with a passion and he thanked God every day for that privilege. He gave so much of himself to insure that all those around him, family, co-workers and subordinates, felt welcome in his company. Al had a particular love of music and that talent has come down through his children and grandchildren. Through the many military assignments in different parts of the world and the travel opportunities this provided, Al and Marie taught their children to understand, appreciate and embrace the global differences in cultures and society in an effort to prepare their children for the ever changing world around them.