NY National Guard retirees from Schenectady and Rensselaer honored during joint ceremony on June 11

Sgt. Major Matthew Gutzwiller and Sgt. 1st Class Frank DeThomasis have 72 years of service between them

Latham, NY (06/15/2021) — Two New York Army National Guard noncommissioned officers with 72 years of service between them, were honored during a joint retirement ceremony on June 11 at New York National Guard headquarters in Lathem, New York.

Sgt. Major Matthew Gutzwiller, a Schenectady resident who retired in February 2020, and Sgt. 1st Class Frank DeThomasis, a Rensselaer resident who retired in January, were recognized by Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, for their service over many years.

The retirement ceremony was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and delays in obtaining awards.

Gutzwiller, who retired after 34 years, joined the Active Army in 1985 as a digital systems repairer. He took part in Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991 and joined the New York Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment in 1997.

During his 23 years of service in the New York Army National Guard, Gutzwiller served as a battalion operations sergeant, training non-commissioned officer, division operations sergeant major, troop command operations sergeant major, division fires sergeant major, division chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear sergeant major, and aviation operations non-commissioned officer during a deployment in Bosnia.

He most recently served as the operations and training sergeant major for the New York Army National Guard, responsible for overseeing the military schools program for 10,000 Soldiers.

Gutzwiller is a graduate of the Army Sergeants Major Academy.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Gold Army Recruiting Badge and the Driver Mechanic Badge.

He was presented with the Legion of Merit, which recognizes exceptional accomplishment, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal during the retirement ceremony.

"You have been a stalwart of our organization," Shields told Gutzwiller.

In his remarks Gutzwiller thanked those who had helped him throughout his career

"No one goes through their Army career without the help and support of a lot of people," he said.

He also made it a point to thank his wife Donna Gutzwiller for her support over his long military career.

"During my promotion to sergeant major, I straight out forgot and I have to make up for that now," he joked.

Since leave the Army National Guard, Gutzwiller has become a National Guard civilian employee working in the New York Army National Guard training and operation sections.

"We are pleased that you are still working for us, taking care of Soldiers," Shields said.

DeThomasis began his military career in 1980 when he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 210th Amor. He served in that battalion as an armor crewman, gunner, senior gunner and tank commander until the battalion was disbanded in 1993.

He then joined the 1st Battalion 101st Cavalry, where he continued to serve as an armor leader for another 13 years.

He was part of the New York National Guard response to the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and deployed to Iraq for 11 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After returning from Iraq, he served in a number of positions with the 42nd Infantry Division headquarters and at Joint Force Headquarters, all focused on training and readiness.

DeThomasis awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge. He is also a recipient of the New York State Defense of Liberty Medal for service following the 9/11 attacks.

He received a second Meritorious Service Medal during the retirement ceremony.

DeThomasis has been an outstanding Soldier throughout his long career, Shields said.

"We are going to give you a bunch of stuff in a few moments but these are just tokens," he said. "We can't make up for all the time spent in service to the state and nation over the years."

DeThomasis said he had enjoyed his time in the New York National Guard, and especially with the people he worked with.

"I got to work with some phenomenal people who I am proud to call my brothers and sisters," he said.

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