Purple Heart

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-5) Schley served 32 years in the Marine Corps (20 active & 12 reserve). He joined the Marine Corps in Atlanta, GA in 1966 and retired in 1998 in New Orleans, LA.  He attended Boot Camp at MCRD Parris Island, SC.  CWO-5 Schley is a combat veteran with 22 months in Vietnam (1967-1969) with the 1^st Marine Division and 3 months (1991) in the Gulf War with the 24^th Marine Regiment. 

Walt served in the capacity of Personnel Officer, Infantry Officer, and Public Affairs Officer over the course of his career.

His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, two Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, four Navy Achievement Medals with a Combat “V” device, the Combat Action Ribbon, two Navy Presidential Unit Citations, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

After he retired from the Marine Corps, he became a High School Senior Marine Corps JROTC Instructor and retired from teaching in 2011. 

Walt Schley is the Past Commander of the Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart and is an active member of numerous organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgia State University, a Master’s Degree from the University of St. Mary, and is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. 

He is married to Kathleen Caruso of New Orleans, LA and lives in Parkville, MO.