Harry Schmidt (USMC)

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. 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 (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. 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. In September, he was promoted to major general. 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 Home Islands.

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. 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.

Death

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

Military awards

Schmidt's military decorations and awards include:

Navy Cross citation

Citation:

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 Crops, 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.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Schmidt, Harry
1886 births
1968 deaths
Military personnel from Nebraska
Wayne State College alumni
United States Marine Corps World War II generals
American military personnel of the Banana Wars
People from Holdrege, Nebraska
Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Battle of Iwo Jima
United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni
United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I
United States Marine Corps generals
Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery