From Civilian to Soldier During the Vietnam Years
A Soldier's Experiences Documented and Recorded in Fine Art

A memorial to the young men of America who fought in the war in Vietnam.
The individuals, their training, their experiences, relating to the Vietnamese people,
and more, are done in oils, graphite, ink, casein, aquarelle and pastels.
The following 30 artworks were created by Phillip G. Schuyler
in the methods of the old masters using modern materials.

A story that begins with "The First Day" and ends with, "Death of a Soldier".

No stranger to combat, Philip Schuyler was wounded twice in World War II,
then contracted Polio from swamps in France. He was Eventually
flown home on a litter and spent years in hospitals.

Mr. Schuyler's first motivation in recording experiences of the men and women sent
to serve their country was to express appreciation to them in his own unique way.
Closely following that was his concern for the loved ones they were leaving behind.
The first dozen major artworks were, therefore, accompanied by plaques documenting
names, units, dates, locations and activities portrayed in each work of art. These
were intended to help the families understand the new lives of their family members
in the unfamiliar world of the military. With consideration for historical significance,
the plaques are reproduced here exactly as written at the time the artworks were created.

The first twelve artworks are oil on canvas or Masonite.
Eighteen smaller works are done in various media.

The First Day 30" x 40" Oil on Masonite	Physical Fitness 40" x 30" Oil on Canvas	Rifle Practice 30" x 24" Oil on Canvas	His First Patch 46" x 36" Oil on Canvas	Graduation 48" x 40" Oil on Canvas

Div. Sgt. Major 18" x 22" Oil on Canvas	West Point 32" x 40" Oil on Canvas	Attack 40" x 30" Oil on Canvas	The Search 40" x 30" Oil on Canvas	Chaplains 45.5" x 39" Oil on Canvas

The following eighteen works Mr. Schuyler referred to as "graphics" have his
personal notations on them and therefore did not require further explanation.

IDG Soldier in Ambush Position 14" x 11" Casein	Searching Dead Viet Cong 11" x 14" Black Ink Wash	Night Patrol 16"x12" Polymer	Explaining a Claymore Mine 9" x 11" Brown Ink Wash	Viet Cong in Ambush Position 11" x 14" Casein

5th US SF & IDGs Near Ho Chi Minh Trail 18" x 14" Aquarelle	5th US SF & IDGs Near Ho Chi Minh Trail 18" x 14" Aquarelle	Helicopter Assault Landing 18" x 14" Black Ink Wash	Counter Mortar Radar 15" x 12" Black Ink Wash

Away from combat, Americans often gave kind responses to needs of Vietnamese civilians.
Building swings and playing games with children, medics caring for health
and medical needs, and other such responses benefited both
the civilians and the Americans.

Special Forces Soldier Builds Swings for Children 9" x 12" Brown Conte & White on Tan	Medic Treating Montagnard in the Central Highlands 12" x 9.5" Black and White Crayon on Gray	Village Children and New Friend 9" x 12" Pen and Ink	Treating Woman from VC Prison Camp 9" x 12" Black & White Crayon on Gray	Candy for Vietnamese Children 18" x 14" Aquarelle

Medic Treating Village Child 12" x 9" Pen and Ink	Vietnamese Women Weaving 12" x 8.5" Brown Conte & White on Tan	Army Medical Officer  Examining Village Children 13.5" x 10.5" Black Ink Wash	Saigon Street Vendor 9" x 12" Brown Ink Wash

Traveling in the Northwest in 1965, artist Philip Schuyler discovered that the
Army's Fourth Division was headquartered at Fort Lewis, Washington.  He had been a
lieutenant in the Fourth Division during the invasion of France in 1944 and had served
until he was rendered disabled and sent home.

In a wave of nostalgia he went to visit the Fourth Division at Fort Lewis and discovered
it was preparing for commitment to action. Still unfit for active duty but having been a
professional artist for many years, he went to the division's commander, General Collins,
with a proposal. "I can't lead them but I will memorialize them in art."
General Collins was pleased. 

Mr. Schuyler took up residence at the Fort Lewis Inn and began the first painting.
Much publicity followed. The first painting was exhibited. Then the first three were shown.
Jose Nunez, curator of the Washington, D.C. Gallery of Art, declared the works
"modern masterpieces." The painting "Chaplains" was the Picture of Honor
at an exhibition of religious art in California.

When eleven paintings were completed they were exhibited at West Point.
The Teamster's Union asked to buy the eleven for $250,000 to exhibit
throughout the nation. Mr. Schuyler would not sell.
He was not finished with the story.
 
In 1967, with scenes of induction into the military and training completed
Mr. Schuyler sought permission to visit the troops in Vietnam to continue their story.
 
He was given the designation of Historian.
His wife was given permission to accompany him as a journalist.
She would continue documentation and written descriptions
of the scenes to inform families at home.
 
At the last minute, with preparations made and immunizations completed,
permission for a female journalist was denied.

The artist and veteran alone would be able to go to places too difficult and risky
for a woman so she waited at home like thousands of other women.
 
Mr. Schuyler collected sketches, snapshots, data, and samples of many kinds
for reference materials to be used in the artworks later.
 
In the Highlands of Vietnam, near the Laotian border, he visited a special friend,
Chaplain Howard T. Lee. They are shown in a picture below,
standing in front of the Chaplain's sand-bagged hut.

Mr. Schuyler and his friend
Catholic Monsignor Howard T. Lee, Chaplain

Many stops and visits later, after collecting much more reference material
and information, Mr. Schuyler returned home to continue the story of
our young men in Vietnam. The series had now grown to 30 pieces of art
portraying their activities.

During the years that followed, Mr. Schuyler built
a Fine Arts Department at the University of Santa Clara.
After several years his health began to fail. He died in 1981.
Following his death the collection languished in storage for many years.
He had never seen his entire series exhibited together. 
Now, with the modern technology of the Internet, it has become possible
to provide a virtual gallery for the display of these artworks.
At Last, Mr. Schuyler's dream is fulfilled - though in a way he would
have never envisioned. They can now be visited in the modern day
Museum of the Internet, on this web site, at any time.

For Information Contact: schuylersart@gmail.com

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