George E. SCHMIDT
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Source : Collectif DIRR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF SERVICE | O1303955 (35004454) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
AGE | 31 yo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE OF BIRTH | 1913 Franklin OHIO | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ENLISTMENT STATE | OHIO | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FAMILY |
Single Parents : George Michael & Anna Margaret Becker SCHMIDT Siblings : Robert G & Carolina E. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
RANK | Second Lieutenant | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FONCTION | Paratrooper | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JOB BEFORE ENLISTEMENT | Semiskilled linemen and servicemen, telegraph, telephone, and power | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE of ENLISTEMENT | 10 March 1941 Fort Hayes Columbus OHIO | |||||||||||||||||||||||
COMPANY | Company E | |||||||||||||||||||||||
REGIMENT | 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DIVISION | 101st Airborne Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE OF DEATH | 6 June 1944 |
Source : Jeff Kregel | ||||||||||||||||||||||
STATUS | KIA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
PLACE OF DEATH | Les Droueries - Angoville au plain | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CEMETERY TEMPORARY | CEMTERY TEMPORARY of Hiesville | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CEMTERY TEMPORARY of Blosville N°3508
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CEMETERY | NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY of Colleville | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GRAVE |
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DECORATION |
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STORY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
On D-Day morning, Second Lieutenant George E. Schmidt and 30 men from E Compagny lead an attack on the farm. Schmidt records the support of second lieutenant Walter W. Wood of the C Compagny and 20 men of the 506th PIR. However the Germans are ambushed in the farm and the surrounding fields in order to block the road to the Americans. The paratroopers won the battle, however 4 soldiers were wounded and Second Lieutenant Schmidt died there. |
Source : Flickr.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Location of the German sniper and the splinters made by the American paras to neutralize it Source: Bruno Cadeville | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For his courage on the boat, he received posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross. Following this loss, the Germans pounded the position. In order to silence enemy ambitions, the cruiser USS Quincy, which anchors off Utah Beach, successfully bombs German artillery based in Saint-Côme-du-Mont. Finally on June 7, the German troops fell back definitively on Carentan. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distinguished Service Cross citationThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) George E. Schmidt (ASN: 0-1303955), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Second Lieutenant Schmidt landed by parachute with his battalion in the vicinity of St. Come-du-Mont, France. Due to a heavy concentration of machine gun and mortar fire from nearby enemy positions, the battalion had much difficulty in assembling but Second Lieutenant Schmidt, the first officer from his company to reach the assembly area, immediately assumed command and made repeated trips to the drop zone to bring back men and equipment. By his continuous and diligent efforts, he was successful in assembling an effective fighting force. Second Lieutenant Schmidt then skillfully deployed his men along the route of advance. Extremely heavy enemy fire suddenly pinned down the entire battalion. Second Lieutenant Schmidt, displaying outstanding leadership, placed his men in advantageous positions and ordered them to maintain a fast rate of fire in order to deceive the enemy as to the strength of his force. In an attempt to locate enemy snipers who were firing on his men, he exposed himself to enemy fire. Although he received a head wound he continued to search until he had spotted the snipers. While directing fire of his own machine gun upon these snipers, he was wounded. During the entire action he displayed outstanding courage, devotion to duty, and complete disregard for his personal safety. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
101st AIRBORNE DIVISION - SCREAMING EAGLES
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SOURCE INFORMATION & SOURCE PHOTO | Abmc.gov - Findagrave.com - Aad.archives.gov - Time To Go Home - Denis Van Den Brink |
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PROGRAMMER | Henri, Garrett, Clive, Frédéric & Renaud |