Herman Schmidt was born in Alexander, Kansas on Oct. 22, 1913. After growing up in Sheridan, Wyoming Schmidt was enlisted in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 15, 1937 attaining the rank of Gun (GM3c) with duties including the assembly, maintenance and repair of guns, gun mounts, and gun ports and took charge of guns and gun crews. Schmidt also handled and stowed ammunition and handled mines and depth charges before the authorization of the mineman rating.
Promotions included Apprentice Seaman upon enlistment, Seaman 2nd Class: Oct. 15, 1937, Seaman 1st Class: Oct. 16, 1939 and Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class: June 12, 1941.
Herman Schmidt was lost Dec. 7, 1941. His duty station was the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) Sept. 25, 1937 and Naval Training Station San Diego, CA June 17, 1937.
Awards and Decorations* include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star), American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Herman Schmidt was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on Feb. 23.
