WWII vet honored on 100th birthday

Norman K. Shutt gets a hug from his great-granddaughter Ryleigh Richardson, 5, during his 100th birthday celebration on March 16 at The Windsor of Ocala. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

World War II veteran Norman K. Schutt celebrated his 100th birthday on March 16 in southeast Ocala with family members, friends and fellow veterans, including 101-year-old WWII veteran Howard Mautner.

Schutt, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, joined the Merchant Marines in January of 1944 and served until August of 1945 on three vessels, according to a presentation by Michelle Langdon, commander of American Legion Ocala Memorial Post 27. The presentation included discussion of the vital role of the Merchant Marine in supplying materials and troops during the war.  

The article “Supplying Victory: The History of Merchant Marine in World War II” on the National WWII Museum website, states that there were 243,000 mariners who served in the war and 9,521 perished while serving; a higher proportion of those killed than any other branch of the US military.

The article states that President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the production of what would be called Liberty ships, which were cargo ships designed to carry large quantities of war materiel, in January of 1941 and a ban on arming the ships was lifted In September of 1941.

Shutt served at areas including the site of the June 6, 1944, D-Day Invasion at Normandy, France. He owned and operated a Texaco service station as a civilian.  

The birthday celebration was held at The Windsor of Ocala where Schutt resides. Family members at the event included grandchildren Kim Schutt and Dan Schutt, great-granddaughter Jessica Richardson and great-great-grandchildren Ryleigh and Cole Richardson.

Dan Schutt said his grandfather was very “outgoing” and spoke  of his his skill in making things.

Ocala City Councilman and Vietnam War veteran James Hilty Sr. presented Norman Schutt with a challenge coin on behalf of the council that reads: “Thank you for serving your community.”

Representatives of several local veterans organizations spoke or gave certificates and mementoes to Schutt, including Todd Belknap, executive director of Veterans Helping Veterans, USA, of Marion County; Darcy Bockman-Wright, Florida American Legion 4th District Commander; and Charles Calhoun, president, Marion County Veterans Council.

Ray White, a Vietnam War veteran and commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7193, Ocala;  Michael Atterbery, commander VFW Post 4209, Northeast 36th Avenue, Ocala; and Lisa Leathers with Al Krietemeyer American Legion Post 284, Belleview, and 4th District Chaplain, were on hand for the celebration. 

Terry Bowden, a neighbor of Mautner in the Villas at Spanish Oaks community of Ocala and president of the community’s Homeowners Association, accompanied him to the celebration. Bowden is also with Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County.

Elizabeth McElderry, sales director with Windsor, spoke of Schutt’s sense of humor, evident when he first arrived at the facility.

“He said he would be mayor of Windsor,” she said with a smile.

Mautner, who served in Air Traffic Control in Italy during the WWII, stood and saluted when Barkley Stone,  a hospice care coordinator with Gentiva, sang the national anthem.

Of his efforts to help to his nation during wartime, Schutt said,  “The highlight of my service in WWII was bringing soldiers home.”