Paul Schaus
Paul Schaus | |
---|---|
Schaus in 2015 | |
Birth name | Paul Schaus |
Born |
North Tonawanda, New York, U.S. | November 8, 1988
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 2006–2011 |
Rank | Corporal |
Unit | 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines [1] |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
Purple Heart |
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nationality | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born |
North Tonawanda, New York, U.S. | November 8, 1988||||||||||||||||||||||||
Education | Kenmore West Senior High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 155 lb (70 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club | Buffalo Sabres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
Paul Schaus (born November 8, 1988) is an American gold medal sledge hockey player and Purple Heart recipient from Buffalo, New York.
Early life
Schaus attended Kenmore West High School, and graduated class of 2006.[2] Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
Military life
In 2008, Schaus unit was deployed to Iraq where he was assigned the role of a fireteam scout/rifleman. Following the 8-month tour in Iraq, the following year his unit was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan where Schaus was assigned the role of a Fireteam team leader.[3]
Injury
On June 5, 2009, Lance Corporal Schaus's unit was sent to protect another squad as they set out to destroy an enemy bunker. During that time, his squad came under fire with mortar & small arms fire. In response, Schaus's squad engaged the enemy, even in close range.[3] As Schaus took his team to check their flank for enemy movement he stepped on an IED which tore his legs and severed his left ring finger.[4]
He was evacuated to Camp Leatherneck where while there, he went into cardiac arrest twice. He was then evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany. He was transferred to Bethesda Naval Medical Center and shortly, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where subsequently, he had both legs amputated above the knee. As a result of his actions, Schaus was awarded the Purple Heart and was discharged from the military in 2011.
Hockey career
From 2010 to 2012 seasons he served on USA Warriors team and from 2011 to 2012 served on Buffalo Sabres which team due to his help won two champion titles in a row. In 2013 he won silver medal in the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship and then won another one in its Challenge, prior to which he won gold there too in 2012. His first Paralympic games were 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia where he won a gold medal.[5]
References
- ↑ Kori Sciandra (December 3, 2011). "Disabled veteran chooses North Tonawanda to call his home". Springville Journal. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- ↑ Paul Schaus – President | Erie Veteran Construction | Buffalo, NY Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- 1 2 Paul Schaus - Homes for Our Troops Inc Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- ↑ Matthew Biddle, HOME: Nonprofit gifts first WNY house - Buffalo Spree - March 2013 - Buffalo, NY Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Paul Schaus". Team USA. United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved April 8, 2014.