Harry Schmidt (USMC)

Harry Schmidt

Lieutenant General Harry Schmidt, USMC
Nickname(s) The Dutchman
Born (1886-09-25)September 25, 1886
Holdrege, Nebraska
Died February 10, 1968(1968-02-10) (aged 81)
Place of burial Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery,
San Diego, California
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1909–1948
Rank General
Commands held 4th Marine Division
V Amphibious Corps
Battles/wars Philippine-American War
Mexican Revolution
*Battle of Veracruz
World War I
Banana Wars
*United States occupation of Nicaragua
Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II
*Battle of Kwajalein
*Battle of Saipan
*Battle of Tinian
*Battle of Iwo Jima
Awards Navy Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (Army)
Bronze Star Medal

Harry Schmidt (September 25, 1886 – February 10, 1968) was a United States Marine Corps general. During World War II, he served as the Commanding General of the Fourth Marine Division during the battles of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and Saipan in the Mariana Islands, and as Commanding General of the Fifth Amphibious Corps during the battles of Tinian in the Marianas and Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands.

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."

U.S. Marine Corps career

Schmidt was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, on 25 September 1886. He attended Nebraska State Normal College for 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 the U.S. Marine Corps as a second lieutenant on 17 August 1909.

Following instruction at the Marine Officers' School at Port 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 to Chefoo, China. In October 1912, he was ordered to duty in the Philippines where he remained until detached to the United States in April 1913. Following an assignment with the Recruiting Service in Minnesota, a tour of duty at the Marine Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana, and temporary duty at Veracruz aboard USS Kearsarge (BB-5) in 1915, he was ordered to sea duty aboard USS Oklahoma (BB-37) in May 1916 and was promoted to captain in August.[1] In January 1917, he went aboard the USS Montana (ACR-13) and from 25 February to 22 March 1917, was ashore with the ship's landing force at Guantanamo, Cuba. Leaving the USS Montana in 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 the Marine Detachment aboard USS Tennessee (BB-43). From August 1922 (was promoted to major in January 1923) to May 1926, Schmidt was a member of the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico, Virginia, first as a student, then as an instructor. Then followed a year in recruiting at St. Paul, Minnesota, and a six-month tour of foreign service with the Sixth Regiment in China. From February 1928 to June 1929, Schmidt was with the Second Brigade of Marines in Nicaragua as Brigade Intelligence and Operations Officer.

He returned to the United States to attend the Command 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.[2] Following graduation, he was assigned to duty with the Paymaster Department and served variously at Headquarters, Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; with the Department of the Pacific, San Francisco; the Fourth 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 as Chief of Staff. In December 1937, he was promoted to colonel. He was detached to the United States in February 1938.

Schmidt was assigned to Headquarters, Marine Corps as Executive and Personnel Officer of the Paymaster Department in July 1938, in which capacity he was found upon the country's entry into World War II.

World War II

In December 1941, Schmidt was promoted to brigadier general and in January 1942, he was appointed Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps,.[3] In September, he was promoted to major general.[4] On 18 August 1943, he became the Commanding General of the Fourth Marine Division. He commanded the Fourth Division in the seizure of Roi-Namur in the Battle of Kwajalein and in the battle for Saipan.

On 12 July 1944, he assumed command of the Fifth Amphibious Corps and led that command in the assault and capture of Tinian Island. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal for exceptional meritorious service in the seizure and occupation of the Marshall Islands and in the assault and capture of Saipan and Tinian. Schmidt commanded the Fifth Amphibious Corps through the Iwo Jima operation and was awarded a second Gold Star in lieu of a third Distinguished Service Medal for 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 the occupation of the Japanese homeland.

Post-war

On 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.[5] He retired from the Marine Corps with a tombstone promotion" (an officer promotion based on having received a combat citation before 1947) to general on the retired list, on 1 July 1948.[6][7]

Death

Schmidt died on February 10, 1968, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.[8]

Military awards

Schmidt's military decorations and awards include:

Gold star
Gold star

Bronze star

Bronze star
Bronze star

Bronze star
Bronze star

Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star

Silver star

1st Row Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal w/ two 516" gold stars
2nd Row Legion of Merit (Army) Bronze Star Medal Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ one 316" bronze star Navy Unit Commendation
3rd Row Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ two 316" bronze stars Mexican Service Medal Yangtze Service Medal World War I Victory Medal w/ Convoy & Escort clasps (two 316" bronze stars)
4th Row Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal
5th Row Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ three 316" bronze stars World War II Victory Medal Nicaraguan Medal of Distinction w/ Diploma Nicaraguan Medal of Merit w/ silver star

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

External links

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Military offices
Preceded by
Formed
Commanding General of the 4th Marine Division
18 August 1943 – 11 July 1944
Succeeded by
Clifton B. Cates
Preceded by
Holland Smith
Commanding General of the V Amphibious Corps
12 July 1944 – 15 February 1946
Succeeded by
Deactivated
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