New Windsor resident Michael C. Lutz, retired from three branches of the military, was recently inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.
Lutz enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1965. He later enlisted in the Army National Guard and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Later, he enlisted in the Air National Guard and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. In total, he served for 35 years, across three different branches of the military.
His Navy service, totaling four years, consisted of first attending Radioman “A” school and then being stationed on the Destroyer USS Charles S. Sperry (DD697). Aboard the USS Sperry, Lutz sailed around Asia and Africa on a Goodwill Tour; when the ship docked, they helped build schools and small clinics in remote areas.
In September 1968, Lutz began serving in the Mobile Riverine Force, M-151-1 in Vietnam, where he worked as the Radio Operator and Machine Gunner. He earned 4 Battle Stars and an Honorable Discharge, returning to his hometown in Rockland County.
Several years later, Lutz joined the Army National Guard, 101st Signal Battalion, where he served in the Communications Division. Then, from 1973 to 1976, he transferred to a Medical unit in the Army Reserve, 815th Station Hospital at Stewart Army Subpost, as the Sergeant in charge of the Radio Communications Section, until 1983.
In 1985, he joined the 105th Air National Guard at Stewart Air Guard Base in Newburgh. During the weekdays, Lutz worked as a Postal Carrier in New Windsor. After 35 years of military service and 36 years of federal service, he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7) in 2007 and as a Postal Carrier in 2009.
Beginning in 2000, Lutz was Eucharist Minister at mass at the 105th Airlift Wing Chaplain’s Office. He also served as a Eucharist Minister, lecturer, and usher at St. Francis Church in Newburgh, which he has been doing for over 25 years, and still does today.
Lutz is a Life Member of VFW Post 1161, where he serves as the Service Officer and Post Chaplain. He is also a Life Member of Joseph Farina Catholic War Veterans Post 386, where he serves as the 3rd Vice Commander and Service Officer.
As a part of his involvement in veteran organizations, he has led one of the Poppy Drives, a joint effort by the VFW and Catholic War Veterans to collect money to donate to veteran causes such as Honor Flight, Purple Heart Foundation, and the Orange County Veterans’ Food Pantry.
Lutz resides in New Windsor and is most proud of his seven children and ten grandchildren, who range from age six to 21 years old. Following in his footsteps, his eldest son joined the 105th Air National Guard and later switched to Navy Active Duty.
The New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life.
