Harry Schmidt(September 25, 1886 – February 10, 1968) was aUnited States Marine Corpsgeneral.During World War II, he served as the commanding general of theFourth Marine Divisionduring the battles ofKwajaleinin theMarshall IslandsandSaipanin theMariana Islands,and as commanding general of theFifth Amphibious Corpsduring the battles ofTinianin the Marianas andIwo Jimain theVolcano Islands.
Harry Schmidt | |
|---|---|
 Lieutenant General Harry Schmidt, USMC | |
| Nickname(s) | The Dutchman |
| Born | September 25, 1886 Holdrege, Nebraska,U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 1968(aged 81) |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1909–1948 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands |  4th Marine Division V Amphibious Corps |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal(3) Legion of Merit(Army) Bronze Star Medal |
Schmidt retired from the Marine Corps at age 61 in 1948 with 39 years of service. A contemporary described Schmidt as "a Buddha, a typical old-time Marine: he had been in China; he was regulation Old Establishment; a regular Marine."[citation needed]
U.S. Marine Corps career
editSchmidt was born inHoldrege, Nebraska,on 25 September 1886. He attendedNebraska State Normal Collegefor two years before accepting a commission as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Nebraska Infantry which he resigned from on 16 August 1909 in order to enter theU.S. Marine Corpsas asecond lieutenanton 17 August 1909.
Following instruction at the Marine Officers' School atPort Royal, South Carolina,he reported in January 1911, at the Marine Barracks,Guam,Mariana Islands.While attached to this station, he accompanied an expeditionary force toChefoo,China.In October 1912, he was ordered to duty in thePhilippineswhere he remained until detached to the United States in April 1913. Following an assignment with the Recruiting Service inMinnesota,a tour of duty at the Marine Barracks,New Orleans, Louisiana,and temporary duty atVeracruzaboardUSSKearsarge(BB-5) in 1915, he was ordered to sea duty aboardUSSOklahoma(BB-37) in May 1916 and was promoted to captain in August.[1]In January 1917, he went aboard theUSSMontana(ACR-13) and from 25 February to 22 March 1917, was ashore with the ship's landing force atGuantanamo,Cuba.Leaving the USSMontanain September 1918, he spent most of the next two years at the Marine Barracks,Norfolk, Virginia.
He again went to sea in June 1920, as commanding officer of theMarine DetachmentaboardUSSTennessee(BB-43). From August 1922 (was promoted to major in January 1923) to May 1926, Schmidt was a member of theMarine Corps SchoolsatQuantico, Virginia,first as a student, then as an instructor. Then followed a year in recruiting atSt. Paul, Minnesota,and a six-month tour of foreign service with theSixth Regimentin China. From February 1928 to June 1929, Schmidt was with theSecond Brigade of MarinesinNicaraguaas brigade intelligence and operations officer.
He returned to the United States to attend theCommand and General Staff School,Fort Leavenworth,Kansas,and graduated on 18 June 1932. In addition to Command and General Staff School, he is a graduate of the Field Officers' Course, Marine Corps Schools,MCB Quantico,Virginia.He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in May 1934.[1]Following graduation, he was assigned to duty with the Paymaster Department and served variously atHeadquarters, Marine Corps,Washington, D.C.;with theDepartment of the Pacific,San Francisco;theFourth Marine Regiment,Shanghai,China; and again with the Department of the Pacific. In June 1937, he was assigned to the Second Marine Brigade. He sailed for Shanghai, China, in August with the brigade aschief of staff.In December 1937, he was promoted to colonel. He was detached to the United States in February 1938.
Schmidt was assigned toHeadquarters, Marine Corpsas executive and personnel officer of the Paymaster Department in July 1938, in which capacity he was found upon the country's entry intoWorld War II.
World War II
editIn December 1941, Schmidt was promoted to brigadier general and in January 1942, he was appointed assistant to thecommandant of the Marine Corps.[1]In September, he was promoted to major general.[1]On 18 August 1943, he became the commanding general of theFourth Marine Division.He commanded the Fourth Division in the seizure ofRoi-Namurin theBattle of Kwajaleinand in the battle forSaipan.
On 12 July 1944, he assumed command of theFifth Amphibious Corpsand led that command in the assault and capture ofTinian Island.He was awarded aDistinguished Service Medaland aGold Starin lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal for exceptional meritorious service in the seizure and occupation of theMarshall Islandsand in the assault and capture of Saipan and Tinian. Schmidt commanded the Fifth Amphibious Corps through theIwo Jima operationand was awarded a second Gold Star in lieu of a thirdDistinguished Service Medalfor his part in this operation. His citation reads in part, "Against determined enemy resistance and incomparable natural defenses, Major General Schmidt skillfully directed the attack of his troops to capture and occupy this strategic island. He handled the various units under his command with brilliant tactical skill. His sound judgment, distinctive administrative ability and unfailing devotion to duty were vital factors in the success of the entire operation." Following the conclusion of hostilities, he led the Fifth Amphibious Corps in theoccupation of Japan.
Post-war
editOn 15 February 1946, he was ordered back to the United States to assume command of the Marine Training and Replacement Command, San Diego, California. In March 1946, he was promoted to lieutenant general.[1]He retired from the Marine Corps with atombstone promotion(an officer promotion based on having received a combat citation before 1947) togeneralon the retired list, on 1 July 1948.[1][2]
Death
editSchmidt died on February 10, 1968, and was buried inFort Rosecrans National Cemeteryin San Diego.[2]
Military awards
editSchmidt's military decorations and awards include:
   
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| 1st Row | Navy Cross | Navy Distinguished Service Medalwith two5⁄16"gold stars | Legion of Merit(Awarded by theArmy) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row | Bronze Star Medal | Navy Presidential Unit Citationwith one3⁄16"bronze star | Navy Unit Commendation | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medalwith two3⁄16"bronze stars | |||||||||||||
| 3rd Row | Mexican Service Medal | Yangtze Service Medal | World War I Victory Medalwith Convoyclasps(one3⁄16"bronze star) | Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) | |||||||||||||
| 4th Row | China Service Medal | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith four3⁄16"bronze stars | |||||||||||||
| 5th Row | World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | Nicaraguan Medal of Merit with silver star | Nicaraguan Medal of Distinction with Diploma | |||||||||||||
Navy Cross citation
editCitation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Harry Schmidt (MCSN: 0-865), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Brigade Intelligence Officer, Second Brigade, U.S. Marine Corps, and in charge of civil relations between the Brigade and the Nicaraguan Government, from 5 February to 9 December 1928, and as Brigade Operations Officer from 10 December 1928 until 6 June 1929. during this entire time the Second Brigade operated in the Republic of Nicaragua for the purpose of protecting life and property and in restoring law and order to the strife-torn country. Despite great obstacles in the way of its successful accomplishment, Major Schmidt built up an effective intelligence service, the work of which was of the greatest value to the Brigade in the planning and execution of its operations. As operations officer his advice to the Brigade Commander as to military operations was marked by initiative, sound judgment and a thorough knowledge of tactics. His performance of duty as Civil Relations Officer was of a high order.[3]
References
edit- ^abcdef"Schmidt, Harry".Naval History and Heritage Command.Retrieved2022-12-04.
- ^ab"Gen Harry Schmidt".MilitaryHallofHonor.Retrieved2022-12-04.
- ^"Harry Schmidt".Military Times.
This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.
- "General Harry Schmidt, USMC".Who's Who in Marine Corps History.History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-05-16.Retrieved2005-03-07.
External links
edit
- Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.) (1994)."Breaking the Outer Ring: Marine Landings in the Marshall Islands".World War II Commemorative Series, Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center, United States Marine Corps.
- Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret.) (1994)."Closing In: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima".World War II Commemorative Series, Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center, United States Marine Corps.Retrieved2007-04-28.