Harry Schmidt (General)
Harry Schmidt (born September 23, 1886 in Holdrege , Nebraska , † February 10, 1968 ) was an American general in the United States Marine Corps . During the Pacific War he commanded the 4th U.S. Marine Division during the Battle of Kwajalein and the Battle of Saipan, and the 5th Amphibious Corps during the Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Iwojima .
Life
Schmidt attended Nebraska State Normal College for two years . He was named Lieutenant in the United States National Guard's 2nd Nebraska Infantry in August 1909 . He resigned from the National Guard on August 16, 1909 to join the United States Marine Corps as a lieutenant on August 17, 1909. In the summer of 1922, Schmidt attended the Marine Corps School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and then became an instructor at the same facility. In January 1923 he was promoted to major . In 1926 he was briefly assigned to the 6th Marine Regiment in China . After visiting theCommand and General Staff College , Fort Leavenworth , Kansas , he worked in the purser department at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, Shanghai and the Department of the Pacific . During his stay in China in May 1934, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In June 1937 he was appointed chief of staff of the 2nd Marine Brigade . In early December 1937 he was promoted to colonel . Before World War II, it was also used in Guam , Philippines , Mexico , Cuba, and Nicaragua .
In December 1941, Schmidt was promoted to brigadier general and was appointed assistant to the commanding officer of the Marine Corps the following month. In September 1942 he was promoted to major general. In August 1943 he became commanding general of the 4th Marine Division. From July 1944 he commanded the 5th Amphibious Corps. He led the corps in the Tinian invasion and during the Battle of Iwo Jima in February – March 1945. After the Japanese surrender, he led his unit on the occupied Japanese mainland. In February 1946 he took over the Marine Training and Replacement Command in San Diego . In March 1946 he was promoted to lieutenant general . After 39 years of military service, he retired July 1, 1948 and was appointed four-star general in goodbye.
Awards
He has received numerous medals, including the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit . He also received the Navy Cross , the second highest military medal in the United States.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Schmidt, Harry |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American general in the United States Marine Corps |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 23, 1886 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Holdrege , Nebraska |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 10, 1968 |